The UK government has announced proposals to make a digital identity (ID) scheme compulsory for all adults in the Britain, as part of its efforts to combat illegal immigration, Sky News reports. Under the plan, the digital ID would act as proof of the right to live and work in the country.
The government says the scheme is its “latest attempt” to ensure that only those eligible can legally hold employment or residence status. The ID would be used when verifying an individual’s right to live and work, aiming to close loopholes that currently allow unauthorized work.
Officials have not yet released full technical details or a legislative timetable, but the system is expected to require new laws before implementation. The proposal is still at the planning stage. The government will likely need to run a consultation process before the law can take effect.
The idea is backed by some figures within the Labour Party and supporters of tougher immigration control. Former Labour minister Harriet Harman told Sky News that digital ID “would make it even more difficult for people to work illegally.” She argued that one reason migrants come illegally is the ease of working under the radar, and a digital ID could help prevent that.
Critics of the scheme have raised concerns about civil liberties, privacy, and the practicalities of enforcing it universally. They warn that a digital ID requirement could disadvantage people without smartphones or connectivity. However, no formal objections have yet been lodged in Parliament or by major civil society organizations at least not in what has been publicly reported so far.
The proposal would mark a significant shift in UK policy. Previous attempts to introduce national ID schemes have been politically controversial and were scrapped in past governments. For example, the Blair-era ID card project was abandoned in 2010.
If passed, the law would require all adults in the UK to obtain this digital ID, used when proving their right to live or work. The government plans to link verification systems such as by employers or landlords to a central or connected database to validate the IDs.
