The United Kingdom (UK) is set to introduce a new digital identity scheme that will be mandatory to prove a right to work in the country.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the scheme on Friday during the global progressive action conference in London.
Starmer said the digital ID will help combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services.
“Let me spell it out: you will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID,” Starmer said.
Advertisement
“It’s as simple as that, because decent, pragmatic, fair-minded people, they want us to tackle the issues that they see around them,” he added, noting that the “government is listening and delivering”.
The prime minister lamented that it had been “too easy” for people to work illegally in the UK because the centre-left had been “squeamish” about saying things that were “clearly true”.
“Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure,” Starmer said.
Advertisement
“And 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.”
UK citizens currently use driving licences, passports or utility bills as a means of identification, depending on the situation.
However, Starmer’s proposal has met a stiff pushback from the opposition.
“We won’t back any system that makes ID mandatory for British citizens,” Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservatives, said.
Advertisement
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, said Starmer’s idea did not have a “single benefit… other than them controlling what we do, what we spend and where we go”.
Polls predict Reform will form the next government.
Starmer said he wanted the next election to be an “open fight” between Labour, his party, and Reform UK.
Advertisement
