Government Response to the Digital ID Petition: Why “Not Mandatory” Still Means Mandatory
When more than 2.7 million people signed the petition against Digital ID, the government had to reply.
Their response sounds calm and measured. It even says there are “no current plans for mandatory Digital ID
cards.”
Read the response and petition here.
On the surface, that looks like good news. But read between the lines, and it becomes clear that this response changes very little.
“Not mandatory” is misleading
The statement stresses that a Digital ID will not be mandatory. But then, in the same breath, it points out that Digital ID will be required for Right to Work and Right to Rent checks.
That covers around 85% of the population. Almost everyone who works in the UK will need it. So while the government avoids using the word “mandatory,” in practice it will become unavoidable. For most people, refusing a Digital ID won’t be an option without giving up work or housing. That is coercion, plain and simple.
Why people are worried
This is not about resisting technology. Many of us use online systems every day. It’s about the risk of forcing people into a single centralised ID system controlled by the state.
The government response completely ignores:
- Employment reality – 85% of the population works. Calling this “not mandatory” is misleading when employment checks will depend on it.
- Privacy risks – once data is centralised, history shows it rarely stays limited. Expansions creep in quietly over time.
- Discrimination and accessibility – neurodivergent people, disabled people, and those who struggle with admin are already disadvantaged by complex systems. This adds another barrier.
- Civil liberties – where is the guarantee that this will not later link to healthcare, benefits, or even everyday services?
- Trust – promises of “no current plans” do nothing to protect people in future. A different government could flip the switch.
What this means for neurodivergent people
As someone with ADHD and autism, I know how difficult it can be to deal with constant admin, new log-ins, and bureaucratic hoops. For neurodivergent people, the impact of a central Digital ID system is even harsher:
- More paperwork, more logins, more stress.
- Higher risk of being locked out of work or housing if you can’t keep up.
- Greater anxiety about being monitored or tracked.
The government’s response makes no mention of these realities. It talks in abstract terms, while ignoring the practical day-to-day impact on people’s lives.
The bigger picture
Digital ID is not a small tweak to admin. It is a fundamental shift in how citizens interact with the state. Once introduced, it becomes the foundation for surveillance and control. It starts with work checks. It rarely stops there.
Look at history: databases, tracking systems, and monitoring schemes nearly always expand beyond their first stated purpose. Once the infrastructure is in place, the temptation to extend it is too strong.
Why the petition still matters
2.7 million people signed because they can see where this leads. Saying it is “not mandatory” doesn’t erase the fact that most of us would have no choice but to comply.
This is why the petition and the debate around it still matter. This is not a niche concern. It touches almost everyone in the country.
What we need
We need more than reassurance. We need laws that explicitly prevent Digital ID from becoming compulsory, directly or indirectly. We need transparency about data use, retention, and expansion. And we need open acknowledgment of how this will affect real people, especially those who are already vulnerable.
Without those guarantees, the government’s response is not enough.
Stay Informed, Stay Vocal
- Keep sharing this issue so it doesn’t fade away.
- Ask questions about how Digital ID will actually work in practice.
- Hold the government accountable for more than vague promises.
Find out more
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