A GOVERNMENT U-turn on digital ID has been welcomed by West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour.

Plans to introduce mandatory digital ID for right-to-work checks were scrapped on Tuesday (January 13) following public and political opposition, with the ‘Britcard’ to now be optional from 2029.

Mrs Gilmour said: “And just like that… another U-turn from this Government – that is 13 now.

“I am delighted the Government has finally come to its senses and changed course by backing down from its problematic and illiberal mandatory digital ID plans.

“Since the initial announcement, I have made my stance absolutely clear, the Government should focus its efforts on actually improving the lives of people across the UK, not to mention my concerns around our civil liberties and provision for those who are digitally excluded.”

However, Mrs Gilmour said she still had concerns about the cost of an optional digital ID rollout from 2029

She said: “This is definitely welcome news, but an optional digital ID system would still be very expensive to implement.

“The Government should now consider scrapping this project entirely and investing in our public services instead.”