UK to roll out digital ID for employment to fight illegal immigration

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that his government will introduce a mandatory digital ID scheme before the end of this Parliament, making it illegal to work in the UK without one.

Speaking at the Global Progress Action Summit in London, Starmer said the new ID would be free of charge, stored on smartphones, and modeled on systems used in countries such as India, Australia, Estonia, and Denmark. “You will not be allowed to work in the United Kingdom if you do not have digital ID. It’s as simple as that,” he told the audience.

Downing Street has argued that the scheme will reduce fraud, cut down on illegal migration, and simplify checks for employers. Officials pointed to India’s Aadhaar program, which they said saved the government “around 10 billion dollars annually” by limiting fraud in welfare systems.