Labour could make another "humiliating" U-turn on digital ID plans. The Government is reportedly looking at making the scheme optional rather than mandatory in order to work in the UK.

Sir Keir Starmer announced plans for digital ID in Britain last September as part of efforts to tackle the small boats crisis. The scheme was due to be mandatory to work in the country but other elements would be voluntary.

The Tories said it was "yet another humiliating U-turn" from the Prime Minister.

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Mike Wood said: “While we welcome the scrapping of any mandatory identification, this is yet another humiliating U-turn from the Government. Keir Starmer’s spinelessness is becoming a pattern, not an exception.

“What was sold as a tough measure to tackle illegal working is now set to become yet another costly, ill-thought-out experiment abandoned at the first sign of pressure from Labour's backbenches.

“Only the Conservatives have the plan and the team to restore common sense to public policy.”

Sources told Politics Home that one option being considered is introducing the working element as optional in 2029 before potentially making it mandatory further down the line.

One Labour MP told the outlet: "It's hard to find a backbench MP who will advocate for mandatory digital ID in public, or a minister who will defend it in private.

"Making it non-mandatory would take a lot of the heat out of the debate and allow everyone to focus on the benefits of choosing to have a digital ID — which are significant."

Almost three million people signed a petition on the official Parliament website against the introduction of digital ID.

And a YouGov poll showed public support for the initiative plummeted after the Prime Minister's announcement.

The proposals have also come under fire from the Tories, Reform UK and the Lib Dems.

It follows a long line of U-turns by the Government including on scrapping winter fuel payments for most pensioners and the inheritance tax raid on farmers.

And it was reported earlier today that plans to slash jury trials could be watered down.

A government spokesperson said: "We are committed to mandatory digital right to work checks.

“We have always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation which will launch shortly.

“Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive.”