“Digital ID will be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of the Parliament.”

Where it stands

On 15 January 2026 a Cabinet Office minister told the Commons that nobody would have to have a digital ID and that the government would require right to work checks to be done digitally. The King's Speech of 13 May 2026 promised a Bill for digital ID, but none was introduced. On 21 July 2026 the new Prime Minister's government cancelled the £1.8 billion digital ID programme to pay for a tax cut on household electricity bills, and a Home Office minister said on 7 September 2026 that the proposals are no longer being taken forward. The promise was officially abandoned, so it reads Not met before its deadline.

What has happened

1. Sep 2025The Prime Minister announces a free digital ID, mandatory for right to work checks by the end of the Parliament, Promised
2. May 2026The King's Speech says ministers will proceed with the introduction of digital ID, In plan evidence
3. Jul 2026The government cancels the £1.8 billion digital ID programme to fund a cut in tax on electricity bills, Not met evidence
4. Jul 2029Digital ID was due to be mandatory for right to work checks by the end of the Parliament (editorial date), Deadline

About the cost

No cost was given with the promise. When it cancelled the programme, the government put its cost at £1.8 billion over the next three years (21 July 2026).

• New PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of living (21 Jul 2026)

More detail

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