Digital ID: Liberal Democrats cannot support mandatory scheme

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to the news that the Prime Minister is expected to announce plans for a compulsory UK-wide digital ID scheme in a speech on Friday, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Science, Innovation & Technology Victoria Collins said:

"Liberal Democrats cannot support a mandatory digital ID where people are forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives.

"People shouldn’t be turned into criminals just because they can’t have a digital ID, or choose not to. 

"This will be especially worrying to millions of older people, people living in poverty and disabled people – who are more likely to be digitally excluded.

ENDS