Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is preparing to launch a mandatory digital ID scheme in an attempt to reduce illegal migration, particularly small boat crossings in the English Channel. The ID, which would be stored on smartphones, will allow people to prove their right to work in the UK. Officials said the scheme will be introduced by the end of the current Parliament.
The digital ID would act as official proof of identity and residency, containing a person’s name, date of birth, nationality, photo, and immigration status. Citizens and legal residents will have access to the system, but those who do not use smartphones may be offered physical cards. Ministers say the measure will help make it harder for undocumented migrants to enter the shadow economy, where many find work within days of arriving in the UK.
Starmer said the new plan is about fairness and security. He argued that while immigration is necessary, the system must be properly controlled. He also rejected the “toxic” approach of far-right groups, insisting Labour’s strategy is to balance border security with compassion. The Prime Minister added that the scheme will also make life easier for ordinary citizens, who will be able to use digital ID to access key services without relying on paperwork.
The government insists the scheme is essential to address rising migration numbers. More than 30,000 people have already crossed the Channel this year, and official figures show that almost 99 percent of the UK’s population growth in 2024 came from international migration. Supporters say that digital ID could reduce illegal work, protect wages, and restore confidence in the immigration system.
However, the proposal has faced strong criticism. Opposition parties, civil liberty groups, and leaders in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have condemned the plan, calling it a gimmick, a threat to privacy, and even an attack on existing agreements such as the Good Friday Agreement. Reform UK described it as a “cynical ploy,” while campaign group Big Brother Watch warned it could undermine personal freedoms. A petition against the idea has already gained more than 100,000 signatures.
Supporters of the scheme point to past attempts to introduce ID cards, including efforts by former Prime Minister Tony Blair. His institute has long called for a digital ID system, saying it could improve efficiency by acting as a “gateway” to public services. Polls released by the think tank this week show that around 62 percent of Britons back the introduction of digital ID.
The plan is also linked to wider economic concerns. The UK is still grappling with workforce shortages in key sectors, but Starmer argues that relying on migrant labour without proper regulation leads to exploitation and undermines fair wages. Ministers say digital ID is a “common sense” measure that will make it harder for people to use false documents or stolen identities to work illegally.
What is the purpose of the digital ID scheme?
The government says the digital ID scheme is designed to stop illegal working, strengthen border control, and ensure only those with legal status can take up jobs. It is also meant to protect wages and make access to services easier for citizens.
For now, the UK is entering new territory with digital ID, which has not existed in the country outside wartime. Whether it becomes a trusted solution or a controversial policy will depend on how it is implemented and received by the public.