British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced today that Britain will introduce mandatory digital IDs for British citizens and residents of the country who start a new job, as a measure to deter illegal migration, world agencies reported, BTA reports.
“This will make it harder to work illegally in this country and make our borders more secure“, Starmer said in an official statement announcing the new measure.
According to opinion polls, immigration is among the top priorities of voters in Britain and Starmer is under strong pressure to stop illegal migrants entering the country, who cross the English Channel in small boats.
Today's move, which the government recently announced it was considering, has been criticised by the cabinet's political opponents who say it will not stop migrants and could be a breach of civil liberties.
The government said the digital ID would be stored on people's mobile phones and would be a mandatory part of checks that employers already carry out when hiring an employee. It is planned to be used in the future to access services such as childcare, welfare and tax documents.
At the turn of the century, Starmer's Labour Party, then led by Tony Blair, tried to introduce an identity card, but Blair's successor, Gordon Brown, abandoned the plan after the opposition said it would infringe on civil liberties.
The UK has not issued identity cards since the end of World War II, and British citizens usually use other official documents such as passports or driving licenses to prove their identity when necessary.
The Reform UK party called the government's plans a "cynical move" aimed at "misleading" the public. voters and make them think the government is doing something to stop immigration, PA Media/DPA reports.
Conservative Party leader Kemmy Badenoch criticised the plans, calling them a "gimmick that won't stop the boats".
The Liberal Democrats said they would not support the introduction of mandatory digital IDs because it would force people "to hand over their personal information just to be able to live a normal life".