Government defends expansion of digital ID plans to include children as young as 13
Yvette Cooper has defended the controversial extension of digital identity schemes to 13-year-olds, arguing that many young people already use similar types of ID.
The Secretary of State suggested that the “standardised” system, aimed at reassuring the public in the face of significant opposition to the scope of the proposals, was “the right way forward”.
Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly seeking to expand the application of the technology, originally designed to combat illegal immigration, to include the management of public services such as benefits and bill payments.
In its response to a petition signed by more than 2.8 million people against the measures, the government said the scheme would cover everyone aged 16 and over, but “we will consider through consultation whether this applies to those aged 13 and over”.
Speaking to broadcasters on Friday morning, Ms Cooper said similar forms of identification were already widely used and suggested the plans would offer consistency.
“Everyone has digital ID forms now, right?” He said on LBC.
“So, we all have different ways of proving who we are.”
“A lot of 13-year-olds are already doing this (having some form of digital identity) and what the department will be advising on is exactly how this should be taken forward.
“I think this is the right way to go now to have a standardized process, and it’s something we’re already planning for people coming to work from abroad.”
During his visit to India this week, Sir Keir praised the country’s Aadhaar digital identity system, which is much more comprehensive than plans initially announced for the UK and includes the storage of biometric data, as a “huge success”.
He signaled Britain could use the technology for services such as banking and cited New Delhi’s plan as an example, saying ministers needed to “make the case” for the “tremendous benefits” it could deliver.
No 10 said Britain’s system would not necessarily copy India’s use of biometric data and signaled that the UK plan would be driven by the public sector.
