What will happen if Brits refuse to get the digital ‘BritCard’ – like the North Koreans
The UK government is moving ahead with plans to introduce a new digital ID card system that would affect nearly every adult in the country. The card, nicknamed the “BritCard,” has been presented as a voluntary scheme, but in reality, it will become a requirement for anyone who wants to work. This means that, in practice, the so-called choice may only apply to people who are retired, unemployed, or not seeking work at all. For everyone else, the card will quickly become unavoidable.
The way it works is that when someone starts a new job, their digital ID must be shown to the employer. The employer will then run the ID through a central government database, where it will be checked against tax and payroll records held by HMRC. This process will confirm whether the person has the legal right to work in the UK. The government says this will help strengthen border control, reduce illegal working, and close gaps in the immigration system. In addition, it allows officials to keep track of checks that have been carried out, which makes it easier for them to enforce immigration and employment laws.
The proposal has been met with a storm of criticism from the public and civil rights groups. More than a million people have already signed a petition demanding that the plan be scrapped. Critics say that while it is being promoted as a tool to control illegal immigration, it also represents a huge step toward constant government surveillance of ordinary citizens.
Many people are worried that what starts as a card for employment could soon expand into other parts of life, such as accessing healthcare, education, or even everyday services like renting a home or opening a bank account. This has raised concerns that the UK could be moving toward a society where carrying digital proof of identity at all times becomes the norm.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who once had doubts about ID card schemes, now supports the idea. His change of heart is significant, given that former Prime Minister Tony Blair pushed for a similar project years ago but faced major backlash. Starmer now believes the card is necessary to address pressing national challenges. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also backed the idea strongly, linking it directly to the government’s promise to deal with illegal migration and specifically the small boats crisis in the English Channel. She has argued that the UK has become too much of a destination for people trying to enter illegally, and that stricter controls like digital IDs are needed to reverse this trend.
The government insists that the scheme is not about punishing people, and they claim there will be no legal consequences for refusing to download or use the digital ID. However, the practical effect is the same—without the BritCard, people will simply be locked out of employment opportunities. In other words, while no fines or arrests are attached to non-compliance, people who refuse to take part may find themselves unable to earn a living.
Comparisons with other countries have fueled the debate. Nations such as North Korea already have mandatory ID card systems, although those are physical rather than digital. This has caused alarm among many who feel the UK is moving in the same direction, even if the British government insists its system is different. Civil liberties campaigners argue that once such a system is in place, it can easily expand into areas the public was never originally told about.
What remains unclear is how the system will handle those who cannot access or use smartphones, such as older people, the homeless, or individuals without reliable internet. The government has not fully explained whether physical alternatives will be offered or what protections will be in place to stop misuse of the system. For now, it appears that while the BritCard is being promoted as a modern solution to immigration and employment challenges, it has also opened up a much larger debate about privacy, government power, and the future of personal freedom in the UK.
