Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans for a UK digital ID scheme aimed at making it tougher to work illegally and strengthening the country’s borders.
Writing in the Telegraph, Starmer admitted Labour had “shied away” from concerns about illegal immigration for years. He said the government must now address “every aspect of the problem” to restore public confidence.
Digital ID Mandatory for Work in the UK
Under the new proposal, anyone starting a job will need a digital ID to prove their right to work. Traditional proof, such as a National Insurance number, will no longer be enough.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed that “all UK citizens” who want to work must have the ID. “It will help us to make sure we undermine the illegal economy,” she told BBC Breakfast.
The government says the ID will include a name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo. It will be available free of charge and stored on smartphones, similar to contactless cards.
Conservative and Liberal Democrat Criticism
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch labelled the plan a “desperate gimmick” and called for “a proper national debate” before implementation. She argued that Labour cannot be trusted to run “an expensive national programme that will impact all of our lives.”
The Liberal Democrats also voiced concerns, warning that many people could be excluded, particularly the elderly and disabled. Shadow Attorney General Ben Maguire said the proposal would not stop asylum seekers “working under the table.”
Privacy Concerns and Public Opposition
Civil liberties group Big Brother Watch has gathered more than 111,000 petition signatures against what it calls the “Brit Card.” The group warns the scheme could push migrants “further into the shadows.”
Former Conservative minister David Davis also raised concerns about data protection, saying: “No system is immune to failure, and governments have repeatedly failed to safeguard personal data.”
Aid worker Rob Lawrie questioned the policy’s effectiveness, noting migrants he spoke with said the scheme would not deter them from coming. He warned that hackers could target the system’s central database.
International Examples of Digital ID
The government argues the plan will draw on successful models from countries like Estonia, Denmark, Australia, and India. In India, officials say digital IDs save billions by reducing fraud.
Ministers insist the ID will not be used for other services unless citizens choose to. Pensioners and those not seeking work will not need one.
Starmer Defends Digital ID as Key Immigration Policy
Starmer insists the scheme is an “enormous opportunity” to secure borders and disrupt illegal working. He argues that “quick-fix slogans” from critics will not solve the immigration crisis.
“This is a complex problem that requires action right across government,” he wrote. “We must enforce every possible measure to deter migrants from entering British waters.”
The prime minister is expected to formally announce the UK digital ID scheme later today at a global conference of centre-left leaders, attended by Australia’s Anthony Albanese and Canada’s Mark Carney.
Conclusion: Digital ID Debate Intensifies
The government says the digital ID scheme will be mandatory “by the end of the Parliament.” While Starmer frames it as a defining step in tackling illegal immigration, critics warn of privacy risks and question its effectiveness.
As the political debate deepens, the UK digital ID plan could become one of the most contested policies of Starmer’s premiership.
