Sir Keir Starmer is set to present proposals for the implementation of digital identification cards for UK residents during the Labour Party conference, however he faces opposition from civil liberties campaigners.

Immigration and asylum continue [1] to dominate political discussions in the UK, with the UK government facing increasing pressure to address the influx of migrants arriving by small boats and the challenges associated with housing tens of thousands of asylum seekers, In September the Home Office and Yvette Cooper [2] the Secretary of State for Foreign issued a statement outlining the government's actions [3] in collaboration with France aimed at enhancing border security and reforming the asylum system. Cooper told the House of Commons, “Mr Speaker, we continue to believe that families staying together is important. It is why we will seek to prioritise family groups among the applicants to come to Britain under our new deal with France. But reforms are needed. In our asylum policy statement later this year, we will set out a new system for family migration. Including contribution requirements, longer periods before newly granted refugees can apply, and dedicated control arrangements for unaccompanied children, and for those fleeing persecution who have family in the UK. We aim to have some of those changes in place for the spring.” 

Another potential solution being explored includes the issuance of digital IDs to all individuals legally residing in the UK, [4] encompassing both citizens and those with valid immigration status, according to the Financial Times. These digital IDs could facilitate employment verification and rental agreements, although the government may consider refining or reassessing the plan. A government spokesperson emphasized the commitment to leveraging technology to improve access to services, citing current initiatives like e-visas and [5] the NHS app. “We are committed to using tech to make it easier for people to interact with the state, learning from other countries on how best to deliver this for citizens. We will look at any serious proposals that would help people access public services, including digital ID.” Yvette Cooper, [6] who previously opposed the concept of a universal digital ID scheme, also revealed plans for a nationwide rollout of e-visas for all overseas citizens forwarding [7] a paper titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, aimed at allowing the government to perform immigration status checks on immigrants. “As part of our Plan for Change, this Government is determined to bring net migration down and restore control and order to the immigration system. Migration matters but it must be controlled and managed so the system is fair and works for the UK,” said Yvette Cooper.

Officials state that the Kier Starmer [8] is committed to advancing the implementation of the digital ID scheme. Starmer is anticipated to make the announcement as soon as the next Labour Party conference. However, critics of the scheme cautioned that it could lead the country to a highly unfavorable situation if people are compelled to undergo ID checks for their daily activities. Rebecca Vincent, [9] Interim Director at Big Brother Watch said, “While Downing Street is scrambling to be seen as doing something about illegal immigration, we are sleepwalking into a dystopian nightmare where the entire population will be forced through myriad digital checkpoints to go about our everyday lives. Mandatory digital ID… will not stop small boat crossings, but it will create a burden on the already law-abiding population to prove our right to be here.” 

Big Brother Watch has also warned about [10] previous data breaches prior to the UK government’s mandatory digital ID plans, “The UK government is considering introducing a mandatory digital ID that would make us all reliant on a digital pass to go about our daily lives.Just last month, MPs slammed the Government over concerns it is failing to implement all recommendations from a review of eleven major data breaches.The question is not if a database holding everything from identity data to biometrics will be breached, but when. If a mandatory digital ID becomes reality and a centralised population-wide database is formed, it would create a honeypot for hackers, putting the privacy, safety, and dignity of millions at risk,” said the Big Brother Watch team.

According to Public Technology, Ministers have [11] emphasized the UK government's intention to investigate the potential implementation of a national state digital identity. However, they noted that a comprehensive assessment of the costs and other implications associated with establishing such a system has not yet been conducted. Kanishka Narayan who [12] is a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State said, “The government is committed to making the state more efficient and easier to interact with through harnessing technology. We want to learn from countries who have digitised government services for the benefit of their citizens. We are looking at whether a new digital ID could help tackle illegal immigration, transform public services, and bring benefits to people’s everyday lives. No firm decision, estimate or assessment has yet been made.”