• UK to introduce mandatory digital ID for citizens and residents to enhance immigration control.
• The digital ID scheme is designed to ensure all workers can prove their legal status to work.
• Critics argue it may infringe on civil liberties and question its effectiveness in stopping illegal immigration.
• The digital ID will be on smartphones and aims to facilitate access to various public services.
• Public consultation to follow, addressing concerns over digital accessibility for all demographics.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to implement a mandatory digital ID scheme aimed at curbing illegal immigration in Britain. This initiative requires British citizens and residents to present a digital ID to secure employment, which is expected to deter unauthorized work, a key factor driving illegal immigration into the UK. "It will make it tougher to work illegally, making our borders more secure," Starmer stated, emphasizing that the introduction of these digital IDs is a necessary step amid growing public concern regarding immigration issues, particularly illegal crossings via small boats from France, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The digital ID will be held on smartphones, allowing ease of access without the need for individuals to carry physical cards. It will be mandatory for proving one's right to work while simplifying access to services like driving licenses, childcare, and welfare. The introduction of this scheme comes as Starmer's Labour Party faces mounting pressure prior to their annual conference to demonstrate effective governance on immigration, according to South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

Despite government backing, the digital ID plans have faced significant criticism from multiple political factions. Opposition leaders, including Kemi Badenoch of the Conservatives and representatives from the Liberal Democrats and the Reform UK party, argue that the IDs would neither effectively deter illegal immigration nor address the issues surrounding civil liberties and privacy. Farage, the leader of Reform UK, expressed skepticism, stating, "It’s laughable that those already breaking immigration law will suddenly comply," highlighting his party's strong opposition to the initiative, as noted by Dawn and India Times.

The discussion around digital ID in the UK revives historical resistance to identity cards, abolished after World War II, with civil rights advocates fearing governmental overreach. As the Labour government prepares to launch a public consultation to address these concerns, it aims to ensure that the digital ID system remains inclusive, accommodating those without smartphones, including vulnerable populations like the elderly and homeless. Lessons from other countries with successful digital ID implementations are expected to guide this process, according to TRT Global and India Times.