Labour accused of ‘utter contempt’ for pensioners in digital ID row | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Labour has been accused of exhibiting “utter contempt” to pensioners over its controversial digital ID scheme. Campaigners issued a recent warning to the Government forward of a session attributable to happen within the New Year.

Sir Keir Starmer introduced plans for digital ID within the UK in September as a part of efforts to deal with the small boats disaster and make it “easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services”. But Silver Voices warned that older individuals who don’t use the web or have smartphones are susceptible to being left behind.

The marketing campaign group’s director Dennis Reed stated: “The 4.5 million individuals who don’t possess a smartphone and the 2 million households who’re offline are being advised that except they clever as much as the digital revolution, they will neglect accessing many personal and public companies sooner or later.

“The failure of the Government to even think about the digitally excluded before announcing its compulsory digital ID plans shows utter contempt for the most vulnerable sections of the community.

“Labour politicians typically specific horror in any respect these working-class individuals who fell by the wayside within the Victorian industrial revolution and but they appear intent on repeating related distress with the digital revolution; all within the service of the identical goal, development.”

Under the plans, digital ID will be mandatory in order to work in the UK in a bid to crack down on illegal immigration.

But Sir Keir has insisted that people who do opt not to have it will not be denied access to key services.

The Prime Minister’s chief secretary Darren Jones sparked fears when he suggested digital ID could be “the bedrock of the fashionable state”.

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

And a YouGov poll showed public support for digital ID plummeted after the Prime Minister’s announcement in September.

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

A government spokesperson said: “We will launch a significant inclusion drive which is able to take a look at offering face-to-face help and hands-on assist for individuals who want it.

“Making this system work for everyone will be a top priority, including people who often currently struggle to access modern services, whether that’s because of their age, economic status or lack of digital skills.

“The new scheme might be inclusive, safe, and helpful. It will give folks extra management over their information than they’ve now, and make public companies simpler to entry and serve everybody higher throughout the nation.”