Reeves plays down digital ID U-turn as Tories and Lib Dems criticise PM’s ‘spinelessness’ – UK politics live

The key thing is where you’re trying to go. Our government, this government, our focus is on growing the economy and improving living standards for working people.

When it was put to her that repeated U-turns undermined confidence in the government, she replied:

I don’t think most people mind whether it is one piece of digital ID or a form of digital ID that can be verified.

Now the difference is whether that has to be one piece of ID, a digital ID card, or whether it could be an e-visa or an e-passport, and we’re pretty relaxed about what form that takes …

We are saying that you will need mandatory digital ID to be able to work in the UK.

On the digital ID, for starters, I do think this story has been a bit overwritten.

In an interview on BBC Breakfast this morning, she said:

Rachel Reeves , the chancellor, has accused the media of exaggerating the extent of the digital ID U-turn.

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Blunkett says he is 'disappointed' by digital ID U-turn, and blames Starmer for lack of 'strategic plan' to defend policy

Reeves plays down significance of digital ID card U-turn, saying workers will still have to verify ID digitally

Zack Polanski welcomes digitial ID U-turn, saying plans to reduce jury trials 'need to go next'

The case for the government now dropping digital IDs entirely is overwhelming. Taxpayers should not be footing a £1.8bn bill for a digital ID scheme that is frankly pointless.

We welcome Starmer’s reported U-turn on making intrusive, expensive and unnecessary digital IDs mandatory. This is a huge success for Big Brother Watch and the millions of Brits who signed petitions to make this happen.

Big Brother Watch , a civil liberties group which says it campaigns against the “surveillance state”, has joined Reform UK (see 10.07am ) in calling for the government’s dig