Nearly 7,000 York residents have called on the government to scrap its plan to introduce digital ID cards.
They were among more than 2.6 million who, by Tuesday afternoon, had signed a national petition against the idea, put forward by Sir Keir Starmer.
In York, 6,900 constituents had added their name to the petition – but that’s less than 3.5% of the total population.
Here’s the breakdown for our constituencies:
- York Central – 3,613 signatures (3.31% of constituents)
- York Outer – 3,289 (3.51%)
- Selby – 4,583 (4.53%)
- Wetherby and Easingwold – 3,374 (3.68%)
- Thirsk and Malton – 4,283 (4.42%)
- Harrogate and Knaresborough – 3,659 (3.62%)
- Skipton and Ripon – 4,110 (4.2%)
The Prime Minister announced on Friday that the Government would introduce a new ID system by 2029 that would be mandatory for people working in the UK.
Ministers have said the ID will only be required as proof of the right to work in the UK as part of a bid to cut illegal immigration, but there is scope for its use to be widened in future to access public services.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell, who has lost the Labour whip for rebelling against the government, said that “the issue has brought people together in their rejection of the cards”.
She says she’s been researching the risks of “hostile actors” accessing digital data – and so is against the ID card proposal.
Ms Maskell said: “I note the scale of public concern about the introduction of ID cards.
“Having listened carefully to ministers, I do not believe that they will provide any more rigour over the exploits of the grey economy, as does the current system which relies on the same documentation, but in a different format, often a combination of electronic and paper records.
“I have also undertaken substantial research in the risks of hostile actors on data security and what could occur if data were to end up in the wrong hands, not least on an issue as sensitive as this.
“I therefore believe it is urgent that Government review its proposals, while clearly I will want to see the scale and scope of the consultation, should the process get that far.”
She said she’s happy to meet with constituents who want to discuss the ID card scheme.
