Digital ID Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Digital ID

Neil Hudson Excerpts
Monday 8th December 2025

(1 day, 22 hours ago)

Westminster Hall
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Robbie Moore Portrait Robbie Moore
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Therein lies the explanation and the reason why so many Members of this House are opposed to the plans brought forward by the Prime Minister.

Here is the question that the Government hope nobody will ask: if the real target is people who are here illegally, why on earth do 67 million British citizens who already have national insurance numbers, passports, driving licences and birth certificates need to be dragged into a brand-new compulsory database as well? What exactly is it about stopping the crisis of inflatable dinghies in the channel that requires your son, your daughter, your dad or your 90-year-old grandma to hand over their data and facial geometry to the Home Office server?

Neil Hudson Portrait Dr Neil Hudson (Epping Forest) (Con)
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My constituents in Epping Forest are deeply concerned about the prospect of digital ID cards. Many have written and spoken to me, and over 5,600 have signed the petition. Rather than improving the delivery of public services, this scheme risks wasting billions on a complex, intrusive and potentially very insecure system that will not help anyone. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Labour Government must now listen, take on board the public concerns and scrap this flawed policy?

Robbie Moore Portrait Robbie Moore
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My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. This is not about stopping the boats at all; it is about more Government and state control.