Digital Information and Smart Data Bill
In 10 years, Labour’s position on introducing a digital ID scheme has gone full circle to being announced today in all but name in the King’s Speech to Parliament. After getting as far as issuing 15,000 cards led by former Labour Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair, during his premiership in 2010, the idea was quickly scrapped under the succeeding coalition government the next year.
Plans for digital ID have been scattered throughout the years with the DIPI Bill also being dropped before the recent election, however, the King’s speech opened the new government reinstating the importance of establishing digital verification services. To this end, a rollout of digital ID cards must be fully committed to this time around.
This will be proposed through a new bill replacing the old Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, which was dropped during the election.
On artificial intelligence, there was no detail and focus given during today’s key speech.
No AI mention
A crack down on nation’s health and shoplifting
Age restricted sales made it into the Kings Speech after a surge in the level of shoplifting across the UK affecting businesses.
“These measures support the creation and adoption of secure and trusted digital identity products and services from certified providers to help with things like moving house, pre-employment checks, and buying age restricted goods and services”.
Society’s vices for example buying cigarettes and nicotine alternatives like vapes were top of party manifestos to tackle. A major piece of legislation being promised to address the nation’s health will also aim to mitigate the high rates of shoplifting seen around the country and minimise further trouble for the NHS.
Identification will be essential in delivering The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, driven by Rishi Sunak to stop under 15 year-olds being legally sold tobacco products.
