Keir Starmer’s digital ID scheme “risks shutting out disabled people” from vital services whilst “creating a two-tier society” for millions, say civil liberties campaigners.
Big Brother Watch, a UK campaign group dedicated to protecting freedoms, has slammed Keir Starmer’s Government for its “exclusionary” policies and for “making life harder, not easier” for disabled people who are without a smartphone or unable to use one.
Data from the House of Commons Library shows that 16.1 million people in the UK have reported having a disability, with the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre reporting that almost 2 million disabled people do not own a smartphone or computer at all.
Taken together, these figures indicate that between 12 and 14 percent of all disabled people lack access to a smartphone.
Jasleen Chaggar, the Legal and Policy Officer of Big Brother Watch, said: “Mandatory digital ID risks shutting out disabled people from essential services and threatens to create a two-tier society for the digitally excluded.”
“The Government’s Brit Card scheme will undoubtedly make life harder, not easier, for millions of people who cannot or will not use digital ID.”
Chaggar fumed: “Forcing people to use a single digital identity method to get a job is not empowering — it’s exclusionary. It must be scrapped before it does lasting harm.”
Disabled people in the UK are nearly twice as likely as those without disabilities to be unemployed, according to a Royal Society report, with the average disabled household also facing more than £1,000 in extra monthly costs.
Keir Starmer has been forced to defend his Digital ID scheme
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GB NEWSThis can price many out of being able to afford smartphones needed for day-to-day life and can exclude people from essential services they depend on.
An Age UK report has also revealed that almost 4.3 million people aged 65 and over in the UK do not use a smartphone, whilst 1.6 million older people use no type of mobile device at all.
Responding, Dennis Reed, the Director of Silver Voices, said: “Disabled pensioners without a smartphone will face a double whammy if this authoritarian plan for a digital ID card ever sees the light of day.”
“Not only will they find it more difficult to apply for benefits and services like social care, but they may also be denied the opportunity to do little jobs to supplement their often-meagre incomes.”
An estimated 2.2 million older adults are also unable to keep their passwords and login information safe, leaving many senior citizens at risk of cybercrime while being potentially excluded from essential online services.
Almost 2.7 million over-65s struggle to find or open different apps and platforms, highlighting the digital hurdles facing many older people as technology continues to move forward.
Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary Helen Whately told GB News that Labour will leave vulnerable people behind.
“Labour first claimed it would fix immigration; now it’s about convenience. But for many pensioners and disabled people, it risks doing the opposite by locking them out of essential services.”
“Ministers admit the scheme could expand to healthcare and benefits, hitting those already digitally excluded hardest.”
Whately fumed: “Conservatives oppose this plan that threatens freedom and leaves vulnerable people behind.”
Reform UK’s Richard Tice, meanwhile, vowed that a “Reform Government would bin digital IDs on day one.”
He told The People’s Channel: “The vast majority of Brits already carry multiple IDs — there’s zero excuse for introducing a digital one.”
“Now we learn that this scheme won’t just trample the freedoms of honest, law-abiding citizens; it’ll disadvantage our most vulnerable and potentially lock them out of society.”
A full rollout of the digital ID scheme is expected by the end of this Parliament. A public consultation will decide the final plans, with support promised for those without any digital access.
A Government spokesperson said: “Nobody should be left behind in the digital age, and we are determined to make sure as many people as possible can use digital ID. That includes people with disabilities, learning difficulties, those who don’t feel confident with technology, and even individuals who don’t own a smartphone.”
“We’re determined to get this right, so we will ask people what they need to be able to use digital ID in our consultation. Steps could include offering a physical alternative and face-to-face help to support people when they register.”
