MORE than 4,500 people across Wellington and Taunton have signed a petition opposing the introduction of digital ID cards.

Digital IDs were introduced by the government in September 2025 with the aim of making it easier for people across the UK to use government and private sector services.

But the policy has faced criticism since being announced by the Prime Minister, with nearly three-million signatures on a petition opposing the scheme.

MP Gideon Amos for Wellington and Taunton spoke against digital ID cards in a Westminster Hall debate on Monday (December 8).

Mr Amos said afterwards: "I have grave concerns about the government’s ability to keep our personal data safe.

“A digital record of everyone would carry even greater risk than the data leaks which are already commonplace and, as I made clear in the debate, bad employers who ignore the law won’t be stopped by digital ID cards.”

Digital ID cards will include name, date of birth, information on nationality or residency status and a photo.

The government say that Digital IDs will be “authoritative proof of who someone is and their residency status in this country.”

Mr Amos added: “So many people in Taunton and Wellington have legitimate concerns about mandatory digital IDs, the Government must not ignore them.

“We should not become a country where you can only qualify for access to a public service or get a job if you have shared your identity with the government.

“It is also a fact that 8.5-million people who don't have digital skills, including many older and disabled people, would become excluded by compulsory digital ID.

“Ministers need to listen to their concerns. Mandatory digital IDs need to be scrapped.”

Despite the backlash, digital IDs are expected to be rolled out to all UK citizens by the end of this Parliament.