Digital driving licences will be launching this year for millions of drivers, as Britons adapt to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to introduce a digital ID card.
A free digital ID card for people living in the UK will be rolled out in the future as the Government aims to crack down on illegal migrants working.
The Prime Minister said the scheme would be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of Parliament, describing the digital ID as an “enormous opportunity”.
The rollout of the digital ID is reportedly expected to make it simpler to apply for Government services, including driving licences, childcare, and welfare.
Citizens will be able to keep the digital ID on their mobile phones, with Downing Street likening it to the use of the NHS App and contactless payments.
Sir Keir Starmer praised the “countless benefits” available for Britons through the digital ID service, adding that the Government was “doing the hard graft to deliver a fairer Britain”.
Despite the lofty plans to crack down on illegal migration, the proposals for a digital ID card have been met with widespread disapproval.
A Parliament petition was set up to call on the Government to avoid introducing digital ID cards has received more than 2.5 million signatures.
Digital driving licences will launch on the GOV.UK Wallet later this year, despite backlash from millions about digital ID plans
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PA/GOV.UK
This is now the fourth biggest petition in Parliament history, falling only behind calls for a general election, a second EU referendum and to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU.
Since the petition has soared past 100,000 signatures, Parliament will consider it for a debate, with an official Government response expected within the next month.
The green light for the digital ID comes as the Government also prepares for the launch of the digital driving licence, which is expected to launch before the end of the year.
A Government spokesperson told GB News: “The GOV.UK Wallet will be launched soon, with the first credential being a Digital Veteran Card.
The petition calling for digital ID cards to be banned is now the fourth most popular petition in Parliament history
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PARLIAMENT PETITIONS
“Later this year, we plan to begin rolling out an initial digital driving licence, which will eventually be usable for everything your paper licence is currently used for.”
By the end of 2027, all credentials issued by the UK Government will be available via the GOV.UK Wallet.
The Government is also expected to release further information about the GOV.UK Wallet in the coming months.
The digital driving licence, which was announced earlier this year, will allow motorists to use their phones as proof of age and their right to drive.
Speaking at the time, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the digital driving licence as a “game changer” for millions of people around the country who use their driving licence as a form of ID.
The GOV.UK Wallet will be available on Apple and Android devices, with the GOV.UK App allowing motorists to opt to see information about MOT or apply for car tax.
While the announcement of the digital driving licence did not attract backlash, tensions around the digital ID could affect the popularity of the GOV.UK Wallet.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “That is at the heart of our Plan for Change, which is focused on delivering for those who want to see their communities thrive again.”