UK to Introduce Mandatory Digital ID to Curb Illegal Migration
The UK government has announced plans to introduce a mandatory digital ID system for anyone seeking to work in the country, as part of its strategy to tackle illegal migration and improve border security.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled the proposal during a speech at the Global Progressive Action Conference in London, attended by world leaders including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Starmer said the digital ID scheme would make it far more difficult for people to work illegally while offering “countless benefits” to citizens, such as faster access to key public services without the need for paper documents. “The simple fact is that every nation needs to have control over its borders. We do need to know who is in our country,” he said.
The digital ID will store personal details including name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo, similar to a contactless payment card or the NHS app. The government has promised that people will not be required to carry the ID at all times, but by 2029 at the latest, it will be a mandatory requirement for proving the right to work in the UK.
Chief Secretary Darren Jones described the initiative as a foundation for modernising public services. “If we get this digital ID system working and the public being with us, that will be the bedrock of the modern state,” he said.
Political divide and public backlash
The announcement has sparked intense political debate. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the plan, arguing it would “do nothing to stop the boats” bringing migrants across the Channel and could instead be used against law-abiding citizens. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey vowed to “fight tooth and nail” against the scheme, calling it “bureaucratic and costly”.
Campaign groups also voiced concerns about mass surveillance and data privacy risks. Civil liberties group Liberty warned of “huge concerns” over potential misuse, while Big Brother Watch said the system would make the UK “less free.”
Public reaction has been mixed. Some young people told BBC Newsbeat they welcomed the convenience of a digital ID, particularly for proving age on nights out, while others feared data breaches or questioned how vulnerable groups like the homeless would access the system.
Tackling illegal migration
The government says the scheme will help combat illegal employment by reducing the use of fake documents and streamlining checks for employers. More than 50,000 migrants have arrived on small boats since Labour came to power, increasing pressure on Starmer’s administration to act decisively.
Former Labour Home Secretary Lord Blunkett, however, criticised the proposal as too weak, calling for a clearer explanation of its benefits.
The Scottish government has expressed opposition, warning it will not support any system that is compulsory to carry or present on demand. Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill condemned the plan as “ill-thought-out” and an attack on Irish citizens’ rights.
Next steps
A public consultation will be launched later this year to determine how the service will operate, including provisions for people without smartphones. The consultation will run for three months, with legislation expected to be introduced early next year.
The rollout is expected to expand beyond employment checks, eventually making it easier to apply for services such as driving licences, childcare support, welfare benefits, and tax records.
Despite growing opposition, Labour officials believe the public mood has shifted since the failed attempt to introduce physical ID cards under Tony Blair’s government, arguing that digital identification is now widely accepted due to smartphones and online services.
Starmer framed the policy as a necessary step to restore trust and strengthen the economy. “It is not compassionate politics to rely on labour that exploits foreign workers and undercuts fair wages,” he said.
