The move has sparked backlash from civil liberties campaigners, and MPs of all parties, who say it will do little to stop illegal immigration.
The UK government has said its proposed digital ID will be mandatory for all adults to work in the UK, prompting a fierce backlash from civil liberties groups and politicians concerned about the erosion of privacy and creeping state control.
Labor Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the policy in a Sept. 26 news release, saying it will take “the best aspects of the digital identification systems that are already up and running around the world.”
The government said the proposed IDs are intended to deter illegal immigrants from coming to the UK on small boats by restricting their ability to earn money.
But critics across the political divide called the move a “gimmick” that will not prevent people from illegally entering the country.
‘Shadow Economy’
Starmer said in a speech on Friday at the Global Progress Action Summit in London that the immigration system needs to be “fair” and that people need to feel the government is on “their side.”
“That is why today I am announcing this government will make a new, free-of-charge, digital ID mandatory for the right to work by the end of this Parliament,” the prime minister said.
“Let me spell it out: You will not be able to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID.”
Starmer added, “For too many years, it’s been too easy for people to come here, slip into the shadow economy and remain here illegally because, frankly, we have been squeamish about saying things that are clearly true.”
Concern over soaring levels of both legal and illegal immigration has fueled widespread unrest in the UK since Labor swept to office last July with a 174-seat majority.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said on Friday that the digital document will be needed only as proof of the right to work, and not for other purposes.
“Although all UK citizens will have a digital ID, it will not be mandatory for people to use it. It will be entirely their choice,” she told Sky News.
