Keir Starmer is set to introduce digital identification cards, known as “BritCards,” for adults in the United Kingdom as a measure to combat illegal immigration. The Prime Minister is expected to make the announcement in a speech tomorrow, enabling the verification of individuals’ right to reside and work in the UK.
Under the proposed system, every adult in the UK will be required to possess a digital ID, which can be stored in a GOV.UK smartphone application, when applying for employment or rental accommodations. These IDs will be cross-checked against a central database of individuals authorized to live and work in the country.
The implementation of this system aims to simplify the process of verifying individuals’ immigration status, thereby reducing the appeal of engaging in illegal work in the UK, particularly in sectors such as delivery services, and cracking down on unscrupulous landlords.
Although former Prime Minister Tony Blair has advocated for ID cards for a long time, the government had previously dismissed the idea. However, a recent report from the think-tank Labour Together, forwarded to No10’s policy unit, has reignited discussions on the matter.
According to Labour Together, the ID cards will be issued free of charge to all individuals with the right to reside and work in the UK, with estimated setup costs ranging from £140 million to £400 million. Beyond immigration control, the cards could offer additional consumer benefits, such as eliminating the need to carry a passport when collecting deliveries or serving as a valid form of identification for purchasing alcohol.
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 previously highlighted the potential of an ID card system in curbing illegal migration, noting the evolution of digital identification in the modern era compared to discussions during the last Labour government.
In a statement to the BBC, the Prime Minister emphasized the increased prevalence of digital IDs today and their evolving role in society over the past two decades.