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Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers

(www.reuters.com)
525 points alex77456 | 10 comments | 26 Sep 25 02:09 UTC | HN request time: 1.036s | source | bottom
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mytailorisrich ◴[26 Sep 25 11:22 UTC] No.45385213[source]▶
This is a plan so we shall see what happens...

This is widely unpopular because the idea of ID cards is unpopular in general in the UK and the people also clearly understand that the argument that this would combat illegal immigration is total rubbish. Even the comments on The Guardian's website are overwhelmingly negative, which should really tell the government something.

The proposal is also drastic because it would be de facto mandatory for all residents. It's hilarious and pathetic to see the government argue that it wouldn't be mandatory, just only needed to get a job (which probably means also mandatory to rent and to study)...

An unpopular government trying to out-do itself.

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1. mytailorisrich ◴[26 Sep 25 11:35 UTC] No.45385303[source]▶
> What it will combat is illegal immigrants ability to work.

No. That's a rubbish claim by the government.

Employers must already check right to work and it is straightforward. Penalties are unlimited fines and jail, with penalties of 40k+ dished out on the first offence.

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2. celticninja ◴[26 Sep 25 11:41 UTC] No.45385347[source]▶
It is easily gamed and it requires providing documents, usually these are photos or reproductions of passports which are provided digitally and can be easily altered. And employers don't have the skill or ability to detect them, or often the will to investigate.. by having copies of the documents they can show they did what was required and claim to have been misled and they are the victims, so no prosecution or fines.
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3. mytailorisrich ◴[26 Sep 25 11:48 UTC] No.45385391{3}[source]▶
That's not how it works and it is not easily gamed.

You must provide your original passport, not a copy. And if you are a foreigner you must also provide a "share code" that allows the employer to go to the Home Office's website and check you details, including picture, and entitlement to live/work/study in the country.

Again, if some employers are unscrupulous, or just plain idiots, ID cards won't change that.

> by having copies of the documents they can show they did what was required and claim to have been misled and they are the victims, so no prosecution or fines.

On the contrary, this means 40k fine.

4. GJim ◴[26 Sep 25 11:55 UTC] No.45385441[source]▶
> What it will combat is illegal immigrants ability to work

Utter rubbish.

Do you seriously think those already paying cash-in-hand for delivery drivers, window cleaners, fruit pickers etc will give a toss about someone's lack of an ID card?

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5. gadders ◴[26 Sep 25 12:00 UTC] No.45385479[source]▶
Most of the work done by illegal immigrants is for things like Deliveroo/Uber Eats, where an account is shared:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj615p5y5kko

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6. pjc50 ◴[26 Sep 25 12:06 UTC] No.45385534{3}[source]▶
So they can just share a digital ID as well, right?
7. whywhywhywhy ◴[26 Sep 25 12:11 UTC] No.45385581{3}[source]▶
Yeah they can just share the same Digital ID so the point is none of this is actually about these people, it's about something else.
8. mytailorisrich ◴[26 Sep 25 12:14 UTC] No.45385607{3}[source]▶
Well, exactly. Deliveroo checks the right to work of the account owner and then that person shares it with others cash in hand.

QED.

9. celticninja ◴[26 Sep 25 12:20 UTC] No.45385659[source]▶
No but it makes prosecution easier..right now you can provide a copy of a document, which can be digitally altered, but the employer can say 'i accepted it in good faith' and they have done their due diligence. Having scanned a digital ID and for example that does not match the worker you have employed makes it harder to claim you did due diligence
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10. mytailorisrich ◴[26 Sep 25 14:42 UTC] No.45387065{3}[source]▶
No, you can't provide just a copy of of a document. This is not a valid check and only providing only a document without share code only works if you are citizen.

"Ask to see the applicant’s original documents. You can no longer accept biometric residence cards or permits. Ask the applicant for a share code instead." [1]

The share code makes it impossible to forge.

If you are an employer and only ask for copies of documents you are liable for a 40k+ fine if you end up hiring an illegal migrant.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/check-job-applicant-right-to-work