Speaking in Parliament, Mrs Lockhart challenged the Government over its plans and highlighted strong opposition among her constituents in Upper Bann, where more than 7,000 people signed an e-petition opposing Digital ID cards.

Mrs Lockhart said the scale of public concern demonstrates that many people see the proposals as a step towards greater government monitoring and a system that could expand far beyond its original purpose.

Mrs Lockhart said:

“The Government’s decision to reopen plans for Digital ID cards shows just how tone deaf it is to the very real concerns being raised by the public.

In my constituency of Upper Bann alone, more than 7,000 people signed the petition opposing Digital ID cards. That level of engagement demonstrates just how strongly people feel about the potential implications of these proposals.

Many people see this scheme for what it is. They fear it would create the infrastructure for unprecedented state surveillance and a system that could easily expand far beyond its original purpose.

Once such systems are introduced, there is always the risk of mission creep. What begins as a voluntary system can quickly evolve into something far more intrusive, with increasing pressure placed on people to participate simply to access services or go about their everyday lives.

There are also serious concerns about the security of personal data. Centralising sensitive information creates an attractive target for criminals and raises legitimate questions about how that data could be accessed, used or repurposed in the future.

At a time when families are already facing enormous pressure from the rising cost of living, many people also question why Government would prioritise an expensive and controversial scheme that could cost taxpayers billions.

Convenience should never come at the expense of fundamental freedoms and privacy.”

Mrs Lockhart said she raised the issue directly in Parliament to ensure the voices of people in Upper Bann were heard.

“The public have spoken clearly on this issue and Government should start listening.

Thousands of people in Upper Bann have made their views known and I will continue to stand up for them and oppose plans that risk undermining privacy, freedom and trust in public institutions.”