Wiltshire MP calls for Government to scrap mandatory Digital ID scheme
Sarah Gibson warns about digital exclusion in Wiltshire during Commons debate
Sarah Gibson, MP for Chippenham, has urged Government Ministers to abandon plans for a mandatory Digital ID scheme, citing concerns over its impact on vulnerable Wiltshire residents.
During a House of Commons debate on 8th December 2023, Ms Gibson highlighted the scale of opposition to the proposal, with 4,541 people from her own Chippenham constituency signing a public e-petition calling for the plan to be scrapped.
The Chippenham constituency includes areas such as Calne, Corsham, Lyneham, and Royal Wootton Bassett.
Speaking after the debate, Ms Gibson emphasised the barriers that a mandatory Digital ID system could create for those already facing digital exclusion:
“Digital exclusion is real in rural Wiltshire. The fear is that imposing a mandatory Digital ID system will shut out some of my most vulnerable constituents from critical services.
“The scheme could be a disaster for those already struggling to use a thousand and one apps just to book a GP appointment.”
Ms Gibson also criticised the proposed scheme for its financial implications during a time of economic difficulty:
“Instead of wasting taxpayer’s money on this mandatory digital ID scheme amidst a cost-of-living crisis, the Government should instead redirect the money into making sure that my constituency has at least one NHS dentist in it.”
The debate saw MPs raising concerns about accessibility, costs, and potential risks associated with mandatory Digital IDs, with particular attention to how rural populations and vulnerable groups could be disproportionately affected.