The United Kingdom government has abandoned plans to introduce a single mandatory digital identity card as a requirement for working in Britain, marking a significant shift in policy after widespread resistance.

The change was confirmed on Wednesday by the UK finance minister, Rachel Reeves, who said the decision followed strong political and public opposition to proposals for a universal digital ID intended to curb illegal migration.

Under the revised arrangement, individuals seeking employment in the UK will still be required to prove their legal right to work through digital verification processes, but this will no longer be restricted to one specific digital ID card.

Instead, workers will be able to use a range of existing digital documents, including e-visas and e-passports, as acceptable proof of eligibility to work in the country.

“We are saying that you will need mandatory digital ID to be able to work in the UK,” Reeves told the BBC.

“Now the difference is whether that has to be one piece of ID or whether it could be an e-visa or an e-passport. We’re pretty relaxed about what form that takes.”

The policy shift followed briefings to British media late on Tuesday, which revealed that the government had softened its stance after a backlash against the original plan that proposed issuing a free digital ID to all citizens and residents.

The initial proposal was announced in September by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who said the digital ID system would be introduced by 2029.

Although Starmer had stated that the digital ID would not be compulsory, it would have been required as proof of eligibility to work, effectively making it mandatory for those seeking employment.

The proposal attracted criticism from opposition parties and sections of the public, with opponents warning that it could lead to an expansion of government surveillance.

The government has dismissed those concerns, rejecting claims that the system would be used to track personal information such as vaccination records or carbon footprints, or to restrict access to travel and food.

Opposition figures welcomed the government’s latest reversal on the policy.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, described the decision as “a victory for individual liberty” and said his party would scrap the digital ID plan entirely if elected into office.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also criticised the proposal, declaring “good riddance” to what she described as a terrible policy.

Despite the change, the government has insisted that it remains committed to enforcing mandatory digital right-to-work checks.

A government spokesperson said the current system of right-to-work verification is deeply flawed.

“Currently right to work checks include a hodge podge of paper-based systems with no record of checks ever taking place,” he added, describing the system as “open to fraud and abuse”.

The spokesperson further stated that details of the digital ID scheme would be outlined after wider public engagement.

According to him, the framework for the system will be set out “following a full public consultation which will launch shortly”.