UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to introduce a mandatory digital ID system as part of his strategy to clamp down on illegal migration. Under the proposed scheme, individuals will be required to hold a digital ID in order to work legally in the United Kingdom.
Starmer argued that the new framework would make it significantly harder for people to secure employment unlawfully, while also delivering “countless benefits” to citizens. He emphasized that for too long it had been “too easy” for individuals without the right to work to exploit the system, blaming previous centre-left governments for being “squeamish” about confronting issues that he described as “clearly true.”
Backing the initiative, Senior Minister Darren Jones said the digital ID could become “the bedrock of the modern state,” positioning the move not just as a security measure but also as a step toward modernization.
However, the proposal has sparked criticism from opposition parties, who argue that the introduction of digital IDs will do little to prevent dangerous Channel crossings by migrants in small boats. Critics insist the government should instead focus on strengthening border security and international cooperation.
Starmer outlined the plan during a speech to a gathering of world leaders, framing it as part of a wider agenda to bring order, fairness, and security to the UK’s immigration and employment systems. While the debate continues, the proposed digital ID rollout marks one of the most ambitious reforms to the UK’s approach to work eligibility and immigration in recent years.
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