Millions of pensioners risk becoming “second-class citizens” in their own country thanks to digital ID, a leading campaign group has warned.

Silver Voices, a non-profit dedicated to supporting the over-60s, has blasted Sir Keir Starmer’s Government for “disempowering” and preventing older people from being “full members of society” without a smartphone.

Data from Age UK shows that 4.3 million older people don’t use smartphones, with 1.6 million people in the same age category not using a mobile at all.

Dennis Reed, the director of Silver Voices, said: “We are very concerned about Digital IDs, as it will disempower millions of pensioners without smartphones.

“It’s outrageous that the government has floated the proposals without any plans whatsoever for those without a smartphone.

“It is not acceptable. You can’t introduce Digital IDs without saying how it will affect the whole population.”

Mr Reed pointed to plans to extend the scheme to benefits and services to stress the importance that everyone can engage with it.

“Otherwise”, he warned, “people become second-class citizens in their own country”.

“What the Government is saying is that you can’t become a full member of society unless you have a smartphone,” he added.

Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer’s Government has been blasted for ‘disempowering’ OAPs and preventing older people from being ‘full members of society’

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PA

The British public appears to back Mr Reed’s campaign.

A petition to scrap the scheme has surged to almost three million signatures.

Among OAPs, polling by The Pensioner Vote has found that 96 per cent of its members were concerned about the use of Digital IDs.

Caroline Abrahams, the charity director of Age UK, said the charity has not yet taken a position for or against the scheme.

However, Ms Abrahams said: “If they are coming, it’s really important that the needs of millions of older people who do not use computers or own a smartphone are taken into account.

Brit Card No Thanks badges

A petition to scrap the ID scheme has surged to almost three million signatures (file photo)

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GETTY

“In practice, if digital ID cards are to become universal in the future – not the current proposal – there will [need to] be an offline alternative of some kind.

“The development of digital ID cards also places a responsibility on the Government to lead a much more determined effort than we’ve seen so far to help those who want to go online to do so.”

The Government says its digital ID rollout aims to streamline access to services and improve identity checks.

The IDs will be stored on smartphones and used for services such as paying tax, driving licenses, and claiming benefits.

Paper-based methods will remain in place for people during the transition period.

A protester holds a placard decrying digital ID

PICTURED: A protester holds a placard decrying digital ID. Campaigners have warned that pensioners ‘risk becoming second-class citizens’ under the scheme

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GETTY

But Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary Helen Whately told GB News that Labour has made a critical oversight.

“The Government is assuming that everyone will have a smartphone,” she said. “Just like with winter fuel payments, they have failed to check who will suffer because of their rushed announcement.

“Thousands of pensioners don’t have smartphones. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see digital ID cards become Labour’s next U-turn.”

Even the Prime Minister’s own MPs have turned on the scheme.

Labour MP Graham Stringer said: “At a time of budget pressure, embarking on a scheme that will cost at least £3billion and wasn’t in the manifesto is not justified.”

Tory Helen Whately, Labour's Graham Stringer and Reform UK's Lee Anderson

Tory Helen Whately, Labour’s Graham Stringer and Reform UK’s Lee Anderson (left to right) have all condemned the scheme

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HOUSE OF COMMONS

Reform UK’s Lee Anderson, meanwhile, branded digital IDs a “pathetic attempt by the Government to pull the wool over our eyes and act as though they have any control over the catastrophic levels of illegal immigration into this country”.

He told GB News: “Now we learn that older people and pensioners will be at a disadvantage because of these ill-conceived proposals.

“This scheme will only impinge on the freedoms of law-abiding Brits, and create the illusion of plugging the leak – when, in reality, they have allowed the flood gates to fling open.”

A full rollout is expected by the end of this Parliament. Public consultation will shape the IDs’ final plans, with support promised for those without any digital access.

GB News has approached the Government for comment.