STARMER TO ANNOUNCE DIGITAL ID SCHEME – Compulsory digital ID scheme expected
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce controversial plans for a compulsory UK-wide digital ID scheme tomorrow.
Senior government figures say the Prime Minister believes the scheme—dubbed the “Brit Card”—will help crack down on illegal working and modernise the state.
The plan would require every adult to have a digital ID, which employers, banks, and landlords could check against a central database.
The government is under increasing pressure to tackle illegal migration, a problem which France has repeatedly argued is worsened by the UK’s lack of official ID cards. Starmer recently said digital IDs could “play an important part” in making Britain less attractive to illegal migrants.
The practicalities of the scheme will be subject to a consultation, which will look at how to ensure the system works even for those without a smartphone or a passport.
However, the plans are likely to face strong opposition from civil liberties campaigners.
A previous Labour government’s attempt to introduce ID cards was blocked two decades ago.
