Every employed adult in the UK may soon need a government-issued digital ID dubbed the “Brit card” under a sweeping plan backed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to combat illegal migration.
In a major policy shift, Starmer is expected to unveil his support for the digital ID system during a keynote address at the Global Progress Action Summit in London, where he’ll appear alongside Canadian PM Mark Carney and Australian PM Anthony Albanese.
The move, which would require legislative backing, marks a renewed push by the government to take stronger control of UK borders, as illegal Channel crossings continue to rise and the asylum system remains heavily backlogged.
“It’s Been Too Easy for Too Long”
Starmer will acknowledge growing public frustration around migration, stating: “For too many years it’s been too easy for people to come here, slip into the shadow economy and remain here illegally.”
He will argue that relying on undocumented labour undercuts British wages and exploits vulnerable workers, adding: “It is not compassionate left-wing politics to rely on labour that exploits foreign workers and undercuts fair wages. But the simple fact is that every nation needs to have control over its borders.”
Starmer is also expected to take aim at Reform UK, accusing them of fuelling “politics of predatory grievance” while presenting Labour’s strategy as one of “patriotic renewal”.
What is the Brit Card?
The proposed “Brit card” would serve as a digital identification system verifying an individual’s right to live and work in the UK. Inspired by systems in countries like Estonia, the card could potentially consolidate various forms of digital identification into one universal access point.
Key potential uses:
- Proof of legal residence and employment eligibility
- Access to public services
- Reporting local issues via app integration
- Age verification to protect children
- Fraud prevention and anti-crime measures
Under Labour’s new plan, digital ID cards could transform the way UK citizens interact with public services, while creating a barrier against illegal work and migration. But not everyone is on board.
Public Support Rising
A December survey by More in Common found that 53% of Britons support a universal digital ID system, with 25% strongly in favour. Only 19% opposed the idea.
A separate report released this week by the Tony Blair Institute also found 62% of people backed a system allowing them to both access services and report civic issues like potholes or missed bin collections via a single platform.
This echoes details previously outlined in Starmer’s wider proposal to introduce mandatory digital ID cards by 2029.
Alexander Iosad of the TBI called it a transformational opportunity: “Not only can digital ID help us to tackle illegal migration, but done correctly and responsibly, it can open the door to a whole new model of services that come to you when you need them.”
Backed by Labour Veterans – And Opposed by Civil Liberties Groups
Former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett, who spearheaded a similar ID proposal under Tony Blair two decades ago, said the time had finally come.
“Age verification to protect our children deterrent to unauthorised entry, protection from fraud, these are just some of the benefits,” he said.
However, civil liberties groups aren’t convinced. Eight leading organisations – including Liberty, Article 19, and Big Brother Watch – penned an open letter warning the policy could lead to:
- Increased government surveillance
- Loss of privacy and data security
- Marginalisation of undocumented migrants
- Greater vulnerability to exploitation
They wrote: “Mandatory digital ID is highly unlikely to achieve the government’s objective of tackling unauthorised immigration. Instead, it would push unauthorised migrants further into the shadows.”
Rebecca Vincent, interim director of Big Brother Watch, said the proposal could be “uniquely harmful to privacy, equality and civil liberties.” Her organisation’s petition against the policy has already gathered over 101,000 signatures.
A Divided Political Landscape
Even within Parliament, views remain mixed.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reaffirmed her long-standing support: “I supported the last Labour government’s introduction of ID cards. It’s something I’ve always supported.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey struck a more cautious tone at his party conference: “Times have changed, and that is why I am saying ‘let’s look at it’.”
Will the Brit Card Become Reality?
With public pressure rising, migration at the forefront of national debate, and technology rapidly evolving, the digital ID scheme may soon become more than just a proposal.
The question now is not just whether it will happen, but how it will be implemented, and at what cost to civil liberties.
Whether it will truly deliver a more secure, efficient Britain or simply open the door to a digital surveillance stat remains to be seen.
