Russell George MS has criticised mandatory digital ID proposal citing concerns over civil liberties, cyber risks and cost pressures.
Member of the Senedd for Montgomeryshire, Russell George MS, has raised strong objections to the UK Government’s proposal to introduce mandatory Digital ID cards—warning that the plan is an unnecessary intrusion into people’s lives, poses significant cyber risks, and will heap new costs on families and employers across the UK.
Crucially, Mr George says the scheme threatens personal liberties by shifting the balance of power from the individual to the state. A mandatory digital pass risks creating a system where access to work, public services, or everyday transactions is mediated by government-controlled credentials.
Mr George warns the policy would push costs and liability onto Welsh employers—especially small businesses already battling workforce shortages—while risking exclusion for people without modern smartphones, including many elderly and low-income households.
He has also highlighted widespread public concern, noting that more than 2.7 million people have signed a petition opposing Digital ID cards since the proposal was announced at the Labour Party conference.
Speaking on the proposals, Russell George MS said:
“This plan would force people to carry a state-issued digital pass. It is the wrong step for our country. It represents an unnecessary intrusion into the lives of law-abiding citizens, while doing little to address the real issues it claims to solve.”
“Above all, this scheme risks undermining one of the cornerstones of our society – the principle that the state should not hold more personal power over individuals than is strictly necessary. It is the wrong priority and the wrong message for a country that values personal freedom and common sense. I am also concerned that data collected for one purpose is later used for another. Such a model cuts against the UK’s long-standing tradition of limited government and proportionality.”
“The proposal would centralise vast amounts of sensitive personal data into a single high-value target for hackers while doing little to deter illegal working. Employers already carry out right-to-work checks through existing Home Office systems and National Insurance processes; duplicating those checks with a digital pass would add bureaucracy without fixing the core problem.”
“Instead of a mandatory nationwide ID system, we should focus on tougher enforcement against rogue employers, action to tackle illegal immigration at the border, and stronger penalties for systematic abuse.”
“People in Montgomeryshire, and across the UK, want to see their governments focused on cutting waiting times in the NHS, improving our transport links, and supporting our rural communities – not pouring taxpayers’ money into an expensive, risky, and invasive digital ID system.”
“I oppose Labour’s Digital ID scheme. We should prioritise practical enforcement, secure borders, and the protection of the liberties that people in Wales rightly expect.”