United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil plans requiring all working adults in Great Britain to possess a government-issued digital identity card. The proposal, expected to be detailed in an upcoming speech, aims to address concerns over illegal immigration by mandating proof of residency and work eligibility through a centralized digital system.
Under the scheme, individuals seeking employment or housing would need to present their digital ID via a smartphone app, which would verify their status against a national database. Officials argue this measure could curb unauthorized labor in sectors like delivery services, where physical ID checks are currently required but vulnerable to forgery. French President Emmanuel Macron has previously highlighted the UK’s lack of identity cards as a factor attracting migrants attempting Channel crossings.
Critics have swiftly opposed the plan, with former UKIP leader Nigel Farage warning it would enable state control over citizens’ movements and activities. Meanwhile, eight civil liberties organizations caution that mandatory digital IDs could drive unauthorized migrants further into hiding. The proposal follows earlier discussions on digital ID systems, drawing inspiration from Estonia’s model.
Supporters, including former Labour minister Lord Blunkett, emphasize potential benefits such as preventing child exploitation, reducing fraud, and deterring illegal crossings. However, concerns about data privacy and security remain unresolved. The plan requires legislative changes and comes amid heightened pressure to address record-high boat arrivals and a backlog of over 75,000 asylum cases.