Jim's Guardian article.

The contractor "defended the used of the wristbands but said it was looking at alternative ways of managing "the fair provision of support" "

Those entitled to free food do have to be identified.
Luxury hotels use wristbands. So do festivals. What alternative will be better in this case?

Cards can be lost or stolen.
How long will it take to prove identity and get a replacement?
Days?
What will they eat meanwhile.

They were not singled out for this form of ID.
It is the standard form. If it is not appropriate of course it must be changed, but the idea of a government conspiracy is laughable.