Sir Keir Starmer insists they will make it tougher to work illegally in the country but opposition leaders believe they are a ‘gimmick’ and a ‘cynical ploy’
Sir Keir Starmer has claimed that plans for a new digital ID, to be stored on people’s phones, will present an “enormous opportunity” for the UK and make illegal work more difficult. Under these proposals, digital ID will become compulsory as a means of proving the right to work, but individuals will not be required to carry or asked to produce it.
The digital ID is set to be made available to UK citizens and legal residents by the end of this Parliament.
The Prime Minister said: “I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering.
“Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure.
“And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly – rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.”
The Government hopes that the proposed IDs will aid efforts to reduce illegal immigration by limiting the ability of those who enter the UK illegally to earn money. Sir Keir admitted that Labour has previously avoided addressing some concerns over immigration, but said it is now “essential” to tackle “every aspect of the problem of illegal immigration” in an article for The Telegraph.
The Prime Minister contended that it is possible to be concerned about immigration but rejected what he called Reform UK’s “toxic” approach.
“There is no doubt that for years left-wing parties, including my own, did shy away from people’s concerns around illegal immigration,” he wrote.
The plans propose ID cards being stored on devices in the same manner as contactless payment cards or the NHS App. The digital ID would serve as the authoritative proof of identity and residency status in the UK, including name, date of birth, and a photo, along with information on nationality and residency status.
How the scheme will operate for those who do not use smartphones will be addressed during the consultation process.
According to The Daily Telegraph, those who do not wish to carry a digital ID card or do not operate digitally could be provided with a physical card instead. Mandatory ID cards have only existed previously during wartime.
Reform UK labelled the plans a “cynical ploy” designed to “fool” voters into believing something is being done about immigration.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed the plans as a “gimmick that will do nothing to stop the boats”.
The Liberal Democrats stated they would not support mandatory digital ID where individuals are “forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives”.
Sir Tony Blair’s think tank suggested the cards could act as a “gateway to government services”. The former prime minister initiated steps to set up a voluntary ID card system during his tenure in the early 2000s and has since reiterated his call for their implementation.