Digital ID 'not a silver bullet' to solve illegal immigration

THE UK Government's plans for a digital ID system in Britain will not be a "silver bullet" to end illegal migration, a minister said.

- By Craig Meighan

Ian Murray said the scheme, set to be rolled out by the end of the current Parliament, is part of a broader push to clamp down on people working illegally in the UK.

The minister for digital government and data pushed back on claims it would be called a 'BritCard', saying this was not the case.

Mr Murray also said that it was neither "mandatory" nor a card but later added that it would be manda tory "for some purposes".

He admitted the Government had still to "make the case" for the scheme and "listen and address people's concerns about safety, security and privacy".

Asked whether the introduction of the card was necessary to tackle illegal migration, Mr Murray speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme, said: "We've been very clear this is not a silver bullet but it does have two major positives in terms of having a man datory right to work check.

"It means it's easier for businesses.