Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers to deter illegal immigrants

Britain said on Sept 26 it would introduce a mandatory digital ID scheme for British citizens and residents starting a new job as a measure to deter illegal immigration and reduce the threat from the populist Reform UK party.

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Addressing the Global Progress Action Summit alongside the leaders of Canada, Australia and Iceland, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his left-leaning Labour government, like others, had been “squeamish” about discussing voters’ concerns on immigration.

That had allowed parties such as Reform UK to gain popularity, he said, acknowledging that the party led by Brexit veteran Nigel Farage was likely to be Labour’s main challenger at the next election, due in 2029.

“That is why today I am announcing this government will make a new, free-of-charge, digital ID mandatory for the right to work by the end of this Parliament,” he said.