BCP Council accuses government of ‘state overreach’ over Digital ID scheme
BCP Liberal Democrats urge MPs to reject Labour’s Digital ID plans and redirect funds to SEND services
BCP Council is calling on local MPs to oppose the government’s proposed Digital ID scheme.
The Liberal Democrat led council argues the money earmarked for the project should instead be used to tackle the national crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) funding.
The motion, tabled by council leader Cllr Millie Earl and seconded by Cllr Richard Herrett, will be debated at a full council meeting on October 14.
It urges Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s MPs to reject any form of mandatory Digital ID and commit to lobbying for the scheme’s “multi-billion-pound” cost to be diverted to local authorities struggling with SEND deficits.
If passed, the motion would see the council formally oppose the Digital ID plans and write to government ministers calling for their withdrawal.
Cllr Earl described the plans as “state overreach” and accused the Labour government of “wasting billions of taxpayers’ money on a worthless ID scheme” instead of addressing urgent local issues such as GP waiting times, social care and housing.
She said: “It’s particularly pertinent when the funding crisis in SEND is so significant.
“We need to see this money being diverted into tackling the national SEND deficit to reduce pressure on council budgets and deliver a sustainable solution that meets the needs of local families.”
Earl added that the party “believes in a free, inclusive society where your rights aren’t conditional”, urging Dorset’s MPs to “stand up for local people” and reject what she called an unnecessary and intrusive national identity scheme.
The debate is expected to spark strong cross-party discussion over data privacy, public spending, and the future of SEND funding across the region.