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Political Reporter Jennifer McKiernan has reported on the government’s plan to consult on whether children aged between 13 and 16 should be included in the roll-out of planned digital IDs. The proposed UK-wide scheme is set to be introduced by 2029, available to all UK citizens and legal residents, but only mandatory for those seeking employment. While there has been backlash against the scheme, with a petition garnering nearly three million signatures, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended it, emphasizing the benefits of standardizing the process for obtaining digital IDs.
The government spokesperson highlighted the need for consultation regarding the inclusion of children as young as 13 in the scheme, citing the fact that many already work part-time. Under the proposals, digital IDs will be free for all UK citizens and legal residents, mandatory for job seekers, and optional for students, pensioners, and others not entering the workforce. Despite concerns raised by civil liberties campaign group Big Brother Watch, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper remains optimistic about the standardized process and the potential benefits it could offer.
The Liberal Democrats criticized the consultation on offering digital IDs to 13-year-olds, emphasizing concerns about “mission creep” and the potential implications of enrolling children in such a system. While on a recent trip to India, Sir Keir praised the country’s Aadhaar digital ID system, suggesting similar technology could be beneficial in UK banking and public services. However, Downing Street clarified that the UK scheme would not necessarily replicate India’s biometric model and would be overseen by the public sector. As digital ID systems become more prevalent globally, with countries like Estonia, Denmark, and Spain already implementing them, the European Union is also set to roll out the Digital Identity (eID) Wallet to citizens by the end of 2026.
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