Millions signed a petition to dismantle the digital ID system scheme when it was first announced. "Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure," Starmer declared in late 2025, citing illegal migration as the primary reason to implement the system. "And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly – rather than hunting around for an old utility bill."

The plan would have required employers to cross-verify their employees' digital IDs against the government's centralized database to ensure they had the right to work in the UK. The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts cots will add £1.8 billion to government debt over the next three years. The government disagrees with that figure but has yet to provide a budget for the program.