Tories slam Labour’s digital ID plans as ineffective against illegal crossings
Anyone who wants a job in Britain will soon need a digital ID under plans backed by Sir Keir Starmer.
The PM will tomorrow give his support to the scheme, aimed at clamping down on illegal migration and stopping rogue bosses from hiring staff who should not be here.
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.
Right now, workers only need to hand over paper documents – but these can be forged, and dodgy employers can pretend checks have been done when they have not.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood this month said she is “very clear” that the UK must deal with being a “destination of choice for those that are on the move around the world.”
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 in dealing with our migration.
“My long-term personal political view has always been in favor of ID cards.”
Sir Keir had once been cautious over civil liberties arguments, but was swayed after warnings, including from French President Emmanuel Macron, that Britain must act tougher to tackle the small boats crisis.
The digital scheme will go out to consultation and is expected to need new laws before it comes in.
The Tories criticized 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 literally anything other than fixing the root of our problems: our broken legal system that stops us from deporting illegal migrants.”
Britain is one of the only countries in Europe without a national ID system – something critics say has fueled a black market in jobs and lured illegal migrants.
But plans for ID cards have long run into fierce opposition from civil liberties groups who warn they trample on privacy.
Labour first attempted to introduce them back in 2009, but the scheme was binned by the Tory-led coalition as an “erosion of civil liberties.”
Until recently No10 also dismissed the idea, but with anger growing over record small boat crossings and asylum hotels, ministers signaled last month they were ready to look again at digital IDs.
Even senior Labour figures have been divided.
Yvette Cooper, now Foreign Secretary, was once skeptical as Home Secretary, preferring e-visas that track migrants’ movements instead.
Since 1,157 people have arrived on small boats in the last week, according to Home Office data.
“The proposed schemes fundamentally misunderstand the ‘pull factors’ that drive migration to the UK and would do very little to tackle criminal people-smuggling gangs or employers and landlords who operate ‘off the books’.
“Instead, it would push unauthorized migrants further into the shadows, into more precarious work and unsafe housing.”
Sir Keir is due to speak at the Global Progress Action Summit in London alongside Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney.
The civil liberty group Big Brother Watch has again warned against their introduction.
A petition started by the group has reached more than 101,000 signatures.
In a letter to Sir Keir on Wednesday, the group said: “Mandatory digital ID is highly unlikely to achieve the Government’s objective of tackling unauthorized immigration.
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