Last week, at Westminster, PACTS hosted a Parliamentary Lunch with @andymacnaemp.bsky.social, Ruth Cadbury MP, and Simon Turner (DfBB). Corporate members explored how safer roads benefit business and society, focusing on work-related risk, tech, and data. #RoadSafety #PACTS
By cutting off the ‘pull factor’ of the opportunity to work off the books in the UK, the Digital ID scheme will send a clear message to those who want to work illegally in this country, along with the people smugglers and criminal gangs who profit from illegal immigration.
Why is this being introduced?
Digital ID will make it easier for people without passports and driving licences to access crucial government services, which is becoming an increasing issue.
It will also be used a means of proving the Right to Work in this country.
When is it happening?
First, the government will be holding a consultation to ensure that everyone’s voices are listened to. Then, it will be introduced through legislation. Over time, it will become the standard for Right-to-Work checks.
Alongside state-of-the-art encryption and user authentication, the only information shared will be what is strictly necessary for the situation. For example, you will be able to prove you’re over 18 without revealing your full date of birth.
It will be launched alongside an outreach programme to provide face-to-face support.
How will this impact my privacy?
The Digital ID system will improve your privacy and security, giving you more control over your personal data.
Will I need a smartphone to make use of it?
You won’t need a smartphone to access the benefits of this ID system, and the government will hold a consultation to ensure usability for those less experienced with digital technology, such as homeless and elderly people.
Will I have to carry it with me?
This ID will not be a physical card. You will never be forced to carry your ID or produce it on demand. There will be no sanctions for not having a Digital ID.
Will we have to pay for it?
This ID will be free for everyone, making access easier for most people, especially those without passports and driving licences.
Will it cost the government money?
In India, a similar system has saved $10 billion in US dollars through reducing fraud.
It will be required to prove Right to Work and so address a big pull factor behind illegal immigration.
I’ve already been contacted by constituents with questions and concerns, so I’d like to address some of these publicly:
This ID will not be a physical card. It will be available on phones, just like the way you may use the NHS App or contactless online payments already. It will streamline access to services and make things a lot easier for people without passports or driving licences.
I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement today that this government is bringing in a digital ID system. I want to be clear - this is not a compulsory ID system. You will never be forced to carry your ID or produce it on demand.
📣The annual Baby Loss Awareness debate will take place in the House of Commons on the 13 October.
Secured by @andymacnaemp.bsky.social @michellewelshmp.bsky.social @jeremyhuntmp.bsky.social, the debate will focus on baby loss and maternity safety.
Great to attend the launch of the APPG for Access to Nature's new report yesterday, which calls for "new statutory rights for responsible access" to the English countryside.
As @andymacnaemp.bsky.social said, "my own view is that we need a default right of access." @righttoroam.bsky.social 1/
From September 1st, parents of children between nine months and four years of age will benefit from 30 hours of free childcare a week, saving up to £100 a week per family.
To benefit from this from the 1st of September, go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and sign up before the 31st of August.
Terrorism is not simply an attack on individuals; it is an assault on our way of life, on our shared values and on the very idea of a free and open society.
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The OBR is always wrong. Making economic policy by forecast is driving Britain in circles.
If you're caring for a relative or friend’s child because their parents are unable to, you're a Kinship Carer.
The charity Kinship has launched their 2025 annual survey. This takes around 20 minutes and is completely confidential. loom.ly/gbwe5sk
This is the kind of long term, joined up thinking I'm very pleased to see our Labour Government engaging in to tackle the housing crisis.
Alongside the work of the Bank, this will deliver grant funding to projects which would otherwise be unviable. It will bring forward large, complex and transformative schemes, including those which require remediation of brownfield sites.
As part of this announcement, an additional £5bn of capital grant funding will be available for housing, deployed across the country by Homes England and Mayors to support housing delivery.
£2.5 billion of low-interest loans will be available for social housing providers to increase their capacity to invest in new developments.
This finance, over its lifetime, will support delivery of over 500,000 new homes, hundreds of thousands of job opportunities in the construction sector, and generate an additional £53bn of additional private investment.
Today, the Government have announced a commitment to establish a new National Housing Bank, which will be the government’s investment arm for housing, backed by £16bn of finance.
If you promise to build homes, you must deliver them - it’s as simple as that.
Our Labour Government is fulfilling its promise to build 1.5 million homes by simplifying the process of approving new projects across the UK.
It was great to have the support of MPs @philbrickellmp.bsky.social @andymacnaemp.bsky.social @simonforstroud.bsky.social & @carolinevoadenmp.bsky.social outside the Supreme Court earlier for wild camping verdict!
Now we need the Govt to pass legislation to extend public access rights to nature!
This visit comes alongside the announcement that Labour is freezing prescription charges in England. This freeze, the first time in years, is just one part of Labour's strategy to tackle the cost of living crisis and ease the economic burden on working people.
It was great to meet the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at Rossendale Health Centre, to show him what a valuable asset the Health Centre is to the community and speak with a group of patients.
Question by Andy MacNae Labour, Rossendale and Darwen To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made with the Secretary of State for Transport on the potential impact of safe walking and cycling routes on rates of economic inactivity. Answer from Simon Lightwood Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) The Department has carried out an evidence review of the economic impacts of transport interventions that includes evidence on economic inactivity. The research shows a positive relationship between investing in transport and employment in the surrounding areas, but further research is required to measure the effect on economic inactivity. Active Travel England is delivering a national active travel evaluation that will seek to include a proportionate assessment of the impact of active travel investment on employment. On 12 February, Active Travel England announced £291 million of funding to boost walking, wheeling and cycling across England. It is estimated that the infrastructure funded will lead to 43,000 fewer sick days a year and contribute £9 million every year to the economy by supporting local businesses and making it easier to walk and cycle to work.
Yesterday in Parliament: Cool question from @andymacnaemp.bsky.social about the economic impact of active travel gets a positive response from @simonlightwood.org.uk about forthcoming research by Active Travel England into employment effects.
www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=20...
Today is #PurpleDay, and the theme for this year is #StandUpToSeizures. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness for the 630,000 people in the UK who have epilepsy. For more epilepsy info check out @epilepsysociety.bsky.social or www.epilepsysociety.org.uk
