Keir Starmer is planning to introduce digital ID cards for all adults in the UK as part of efforts to address illegal migration issues. The announcement is expected in a speech by the Prime Minister to crack down on individuals operating in the shadow economy without legal status.
The proposed “BritCards” are not mandatory but will be necessary for adults seeking employment or accommodation in the UK, effectively making them a required form of identification. These digital IDs will enable employers and landlords to verify individuals’ right to reside and work in the country more easily by checking their immigration status.
Stored on smartphones within the GOV.UK wallet app, the digital IDs will be cross-referenced against a central database of individuals permitted to live and work in the UK. Alternative ID options will be available for those without smartphones, such as the elderly.
Apart from facilitating immigration status checks, the ID cards are anticipated to offer additional benefits, including using them as age verification for purchasing alcohol or as identity proof when collecting parcels at the Post Office.
The initiative has received mixed reactions, with concerns raised about data privacy and potential digital exclusion of certain groups like the elderly, impoverished individuals, and those with disabilities. The proposal will undergo consultation and legislative processes, with further details on the ID card implementation timeline to be disclosed.
The move is aimed at demonstrating effective measures to tackle illegal migration, particularly in light of the escalating numbers of Channel crossings. The Labour government has intensified enforcement actions against illegal employment, including cracking down on asylum seekers employed by delivery services like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats.
By streamlining the process for employers to verify immigration status, alongside other strategies, the government hopes to deter smuggling operations that lure individuals with job prospects to embark on perilous journeys in small boats.
During a speech at the Global Progressive Action Conference in London preceding the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool, Keir Starmer is expected to emphasize the importance of controlling borders and preventing exploitation of foreign workers to maintain fair labor practices.
French President Emmanuel Macron has consistently urged the UK to minimize incentives for migrants to attempt crossings to the country. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden recently suggested that digital IDs could support efforts to curb small boat crossings after observing Estonia’s successful use of such cards.
A report by the think-tank Labour Together, aligned with the government, proposed issuing free digital IDs to all eligible UK residents, estimating setup costs between £140 million and £400 million. Prime Minister Boris Johnson acknowledged the potential role of ID cards in addressing illegal migration, noting technological advancements since the prior debates on the topic.
The introduction of a universal digital ID system could significantly enhance public services and citizen convenience, according to the Tony Blair Institute’s Director of Government Innovation, Alexander Iosad. However, the Liberal Democrats’ tech spokeswoman, Victoria Collins, expressed reservations about mandatory digital IDs, citing concerns about privacy infringement and potential exclusion of certain demographics.
Campaigns against compulsory digital IDs, such as those by Big Brother Watch, have garnered significant support, citing risks to privacy, security, and equality. The proposal is viewed as potentially exacerbating digital disparities and increasing data security vulnerabilities.
Overall, the initiative to introduce digital ID cards in the UK is a contentious issue that aims to address illegal migration challenges while also raising concerns about privacy, inclusivity, and security implications.