Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce plans for a digital ID card for all working adults, a move that is expected to spark a significant debate over civil liberties. The proposals, which would require new legislation, are intended to tackle illegal immigration by ensuring that everyone working in the UK has the legal right to do so.
The so-called 'Brit card' would be stored on a smartphone app and could be verified by employers, banks, and landlords. The government believes that the national mood has shifted since similar plans under Tony Blair were abandoned in the 2000s, and that such a system is now necessary to control borders and combat illegal working.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is a supporter of the plans, having previously stated her long-term personal political view in favour of ID cards. The prime minister has argued that digital IDs could make Britain less attractive to illegal migrants, echoing claims from France that the lack of official cards acts as a 'pull factor'.
Privacy campaigners have already voiced opposition, but Downing Street insists that the measure is essential for border control. The technology is expected to be built on the existing 'One Login' infrastructure, which already provides access to around 50 government services.
In a speech on Friday, Starmer will also address concerns about immigration, acknowledging that Labour previously 'shied away' from the issue. He will reject the 'toxic' approach of Reform UK while emphasising the need for controlled borders and fair wages.
