Care about Digital ID? The government is quietly pushing through similar measures in the massive and complicated Children’s ‘Wellbeing’ and Schools Bill. Experts in social work, child protection, human rights and data ethics warn that this is a huge power grab by the state which puts children and families at risk.

The Bill includes a unique identifier for children – planned to be the NHS number and acknowledged as lifelong – which will be used to link and share information about children and families across different services and state agencies. Enabling the linking of records across different databases creates what is in effect a giant state database.

This is an enormous threat to our privacy but worse, the Bill also mandates sharing of our information WITHOUT child or parental consent. Claimed to be for ‘safeguarding’ but the power is drafted so broadly and with so few protections that almost anything could be included. The duty even overrides confidentiality with your GP and other professionals.

We know from years of existing data sharing programmes the type of information the government want to know about you - it is extensive and deeply intrusive. We know that the Data Use and Access Act 2025, just passed, both weakens data protection AND opens the door to dangerous forms of AI used to profile, risk score and monitor us. We know Keir Starmer wants to “mainline” AI into the veins of the public sector even in the face of growing evidence of devastating outcomes.  

These proposals will impact everyone, but it is those who are already marginalised who will suffer the greatest harm. This is why those with expertise in safeguarding and child protection and children’s rights are speaking up.

We need you to add your voice to say no to unique identifier and unchecked sweeping data sharing powers in Children's Bill.

Want to do more? Visit www.rightsforchildren.uk/dangerousbills to contact your MP.