Council blocks calls to oppose digital ID plan

NEWCASTLE councillors have voted down a motion calling on the local authority to oppose the Government's plan for mandatory digital ID.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local Democracy Reporter

The controversial policy has been announced by Keir Starmer as part of a bid to tackle illegal immigration.

The IDs would be compulsory for anyone wanting to work and would be app-based on smartphones.

However, critics have raised concerns about privacy and data security, while questioning the effectiveness in controlling the borders.

At Wednesday's meeting of the city council, Lib Dem opposition councillors called for the council to voice opposition to the plans.

A motion, brought forward by Councillor Mark Mitchell, said the move risked "criminalising" people without access to digital technology and risked privacy and civil liberty concerns.