Keir Starmer Introduces Mandatory Digital ID ‘Brit Card’ for Workers

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s rollout of mandatory digital ID for workers means the hotly debated scheme is about to become reality. For SMEs, there could be significant benefits. 

The “Brit Card,” expected to come into force by the end of this Parliament, will include names, dates of birth, nationality or residency information, and a photo. Held on smartphones, the ID will be compulsory for anyone seeking work in the UK, meaning SMEs will be able to verify employees’ eligibility to work more quickly and reliably.

After last year’s illegal working fine hike for employers – raising the maximum penalty from £20,000 to £60,000 per worker – digital ID could be welcome news. The last thing business leaders, particularly those with limited resources, want is to find themselves saddled with unexpected and costly fines as a result of incomplete or inaccurate Right to Work checks. Digital ID could help SMEs stay compliant while also enabling more efficient HR operations.

Whilst anything that streamlines compliance checks should be good news for SMEs, some commentators have questioned the additional burdens that will be placed on businesses by having to implement new processes and training staff on them.

There also may be challenges in relying on a central government system if there are ever connectivity or technical issues, which could then slow down onboarding. It is also unclear how workers without smartphones will be able to access the scheme which may mean it is difficult to onboard any individuals in this category.

Cutting risk

Today’s Right to Work checks rely on a mix of physical documents, scanned copies, and, in some cases, complex manual verification steps. As the 2,105 businesses issued civil penalties between July 2024 and June 2025 will know, these processes leave significant room for human error and inconsistent record-keeping.

A government-issued, tamper-proof verification trail could address these blind spots, providing not only clear evidence that checks were carried out correctly but also peace of mind for SMEs seeking greater confidence in their compliance processes.

The cost-benefit calculation

Implementing new systems like digital ID will require some upfront effort and the need for additional training and process changes should not be underestimated. In the long run, however, streamlining these administrative tasks could save SMEs both time and money.

Beyond avoiding fines, faster and more reliable onboarding can improve the overall employee experience – crucial for SMEs competing for talent in a tight labor market, as delays or friction during hiring can lead to losing strong candidates to competitors.

Preparing now to avoid penalties later

Simon Obee, Head of HR Advisory at Employment Hero highlights that although the digital ID scheme is being phased in, “SMEs should treat preparation as urgent once further details about the scheme are revealed”. 

He adds:

“At Employment Hero we’re looking forward to the exact details of how the scheme will work being shared by the government, and working to ensure our Employment Operating System works as seamlessly with the scheme as possible”.