Newborns could be allocated digital IDs in a ‘sinister’ expansion of the controversial policy.
Ministers have privately raised the prospect of issuing the new technology to children at birth, along with the ‘red book’ of health records given to new parents.
It would mark a major expansion of the digital ID scheme announced by Sir Keir Starmer in September to tackle illegal immigration by making all job candidates prove they have the right to work in the UK.
The idea has been discussed in secret meetings held recently by Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons, the Daily Mail can reveal.
He has told civil society groups that other countries already issue lifelong digital identities to babies.
Estonia, whose own scheme is seen by Labour figures as a blueprint, creates a unique number for each infant when their birth is registered. Later on, it gives them access to public services.
Mr Simons also suggested that digital ID could be a way for teenagers to sign in to social media, following Australia’s ban on under-16s using addictive apps such as TikTok.
Since announcing the scheme, which is due to be introduced by the end of this Parliament in 2028-29, Sir Keir has tried to highlight the ways in which the technology could make everyday tasks easier – such as childcare or applying for a bank account – in the face of a backlash from the public and many of his MPs.
Campaigners protesting outside Parliament last month ahead of a debate on Digital ID
A protest was also staged against the policy outside Labour’s party conference in Liverpool
But the Government has refused to set out exactly what its plans for ID cards involve or how the scheme will be paid for. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates it will cost £1.8billion.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said last night: ‘Labour said their plan for mandatory digital ID was about tackling illegal immigration.
‘But now we hear they are secretly considering forcing it on newborns.
‘What do babies have to do with stopping the boats?
‘This would be a deeply sinister overreach by Labour – and all without any proper national debate.
‘This policy is just another distraction from the Government’s total inability to deal with the crisis in the Channel.
‘Only the Conservatives have a plan to stop illegal migration – without infringing on the public’s rights and freedoms.’
Former Tory Cabinet minister Sir David Davis said: ‘This is creeping state surveillance. The idea that we should allocate children ID at birth is frankly an affront to centuries of British history, and is being put out by stupid ministers who really don’t understand the technology they are playing with.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pictured on July 14, 2025
‘They think they are being clever and modern, but a large number of people will be outraged by this. ‘It will end up being hated by a lot of people.’
Sir David accused the Prime Minister of selling the policy on the ‘bogus premise’ of tackling illegal immigration before quietly expanding it without informing Parliament, adding: ‘It’s a constitutional disgrace delivered in a disgraceful manner.’
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesman Lisa Smart said: ‘Reports that ministers may be considering dragging newborn babies into their already over-reaching digital ID scheme would be a frightening development. Liberal Democrats have long warned about the Government’s obsession with extending state control through operation creep, and now it seems they want to go even further.
‘Instead of forking out £1.8billion of taxpayers’ cash on this authoritarian scheme, they should be focusing on getting down GP waiting times and helping to cut people’s energy bills.’
Those present in Cabinet Office meetings about digital ID in recent weeks were sworn to secrecy about what was discussed. But one person who was present said that when the idea of extending it to cover newborns was raised, ‘You could see jaws dropping around the room’.
Another attendee warned: ‘They’re clearly intending a lifelong mandatory ID scheme.’
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘The disturbing prospect of digital IDs for newborn babies shows this has nothing to do with right-to-work checks, immigration or giving people choices.
‘It’s a cradle-to-grave digital file being dishonestly forced on every single Briton.
‘This is a shocking, underhand way to massively expand a controversial policy our country has always rejected.
‘It seems that Starmer has lied to the public about a plan that affects every single one of us because he knows the truth is too unpopular.
‘I don’t think this Government can be trusted to create a national ID scheme of any kind.’
However, a Government spokesman insisted: ‘The only mandatory area of the programme will be for digital right-to-work checks. Only people starting a new job will need to use the scheme.’
A public consultation on the scheme is due soon. A Whitehall source said: ‘This is all hypothetical – the consultation will decide on the scheme.
‘The only mandatory use case will be right-to-work checks.
‘In a hypothetical situation where children might have it, they wouldn’t be required to have it. No one will be forcing them to have it.’
