Digital ID 'bedrock of modern state'

LABOUR intends a new digital ID to form "the bedrock of the modern state", one of the Prime Minister's senior aides has said.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

Sir Keir Starmer announced on Friday that the Government would introduce a new ID system by 2029 that would be mandatory for people working in the UK.

Ministers had previously said the ID would only be needed as proof someone has the right to work in the UK as part of a bid to cut illegal immigration.

But Darren Jones, who is spearheading the policy as chief secretary to the Prime Minister, suggested digital ID could have much wider uses in future.

He told the Global Progress Action summit in London: "If we get this digital ID system working and the public being with us, that will be the bedrock of the modern state and will allow for really quite exciting public service reform in the future."