SIR Keir Starmer has hailed plans for new digital IDs as an “enormous opportunity” for the UK to crack down on illegal immigrants.
The Prime Minister has today given his full support to the scheme, which will become mandatory as a means of proving the right to work.
Sir Keir Starmer has hailed plans for new digital IDs as an ‘enormous opportunity’ for the UK
Workers only need to hand over paper documents
It is aimed at clamping down on illegal migration and stopping rogue bosses hiring staff who should not be here.
Under current plans, it will be available to UK citizens and legal residents by the end of this Parliament.
Anyone starting work would have to show a digital profile that links to a central database.
Officials could then instantly check if someone is entitled to be employed in the UK and cross-match the data with tax records.
Britain is one of the only countries in Europe without a national ID system and critics claim this has encouraged more illegal migrants.
Praising the scheme, the Prime Minister said: “I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country.
“A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering.
“Digital ID is an enormous opportunity. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure.
“It will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.”
Right now, only need to hand over paper documents.
But these can easily be forged and dodgy employers can pretend checks have been done when they have not.
Shabana Mahmood has previously said the UK must deal with being “a destination of choice”.
She added: “I want to make sure that we can clamp down on that.
“I think that a system of digital ID can also help with illegal working enforcement of other laws as well.
“I do think that that has a role to play for dealing with our migration.
“My long-term personal political view has always been in favour of ID cards.”
The digital scheme will go out to consultation and is expected to need new laws before it comes in.
But the Tories have ripped into the plans, insisting they will not help tackle illegal migration.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “If Starmer thinks this will stop the boats he needs to give his head a wobble.
“Sir Keir will try anything other than fixing the route of our problems – our broken legal system that stops us deporting illegal migrants.”
But plans for ID cards have long run into fierce opposition from civil liberties groups who warn they trample on privacy.
first tried to bring them in back in 2009, but the scheme was binned by the Tory-led coalition as an “erosion of civil liberties.”
As anger grows over record small boat crossings and asylum hotels, ministers have signalled they are ready to look again at digital IDs.
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