Keir Starmer is preparing to introduce digital ID cards known as “BritCards” for adults in the UK to combat illegal migration. The Prime Minister is anticipated to announce this initiative in a forthcoming speech, enabling the verification of individuals’ right to reside and work in the country.
Under the proposed system, every adult in the UK would be required to possess a digital ID, which can be stored in a GOV.UK smartphone application. This digital ID would be utilized during job applications or rental processes, cross-referenced with a central database containing information on individuals authorized to live and work in the UK.
The implementation of this system aims to streamline the verification of immigration status, discouraging illegal employment practices and enhancing oversight on landlords operating unlawfully. While former Prime Minister Tony Blair has advocated for ID cards previously, the current government had not considered their introduction until a recent report from the think-tank Labour Together was submitted to No10’s policy unit.
According to Labour Together, these ID cards would be provided at no cost to individuals eligible to reside and work in the UK, with estimated setup expenses ranging from £140 million to £400 million. Apart from facilitating identity verification, the cards may offer additional conveniences such as eliminating the need to carry a passport for mail collection at Post Offices and potentially serving as ID for alcohol purchases.
Keir Starmer is scheduled to address the Global Progress Action Summit in London alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Prime Minister emphasized the potential of an ID card system in curbing illegal migration, noting advancements in digital identification technologies compared to debates during the previous Labour government’s tenure in the 2000s.
Reflecting on the evolving digital landscape, the Prime Minister acknowledged the increased prevalence of digital IDs and their evolving role in society over the past two decades. This shift in perspective underscores the importance of considering digital identification tools in contemporary contexts.