On Tuesday, Government officials insisted the plans were always to be optional despite Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying people “will not be able to work in the United Kingdom” without a digital ID. On Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said there will still have to be digital identification checks but the Government was “relaxed” about what was used, including an e-visa or e-passport, describing reports of a U-turn as “overwritten”. Speaking to the Press Association on Wednesday, John Swinney – who has opposed the plans since they were announced – said: “I welcome the decision that the Prime Minister has come to to abandon what I thought was a foolhardy scheme of compulsory ID cards. “I thought it was flawed from the beginning and I’m glad the Prime Minister has now acknowledged that point.”Mr Swinney added: “I think the point of consistency that is now emerging from the Prime Minister is he’s always changing his mind. “I think this is about the 13th U-turn that the Prime Minister has undertaken, so I think it’s just another illustration of why people are supporting the trusted leadership of the Scottish National Party Government here in Scotland, because we deliver what we promise.”

Source: The Herald January 14, 2026 17:01 UTC