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Prime ministers

Labour Plans to Introduce Digital ID Cards to Tackle Illegal Immigration

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Labour Party is considering introducing digital ID cards for all British citizens as part of its plans to tackle illegal immigration. The proposal aims to combat migrants working in the black economy and benefit fraud, amid a public backlash over the surge in Channel migrants and asylum hotels. The idea has been previously discussed but was scrapped by the Conservative-led coalition in 2010. Now, Labour's leader Sir Keir Starmer's team is re-examining the plan, citing Estonia's advanced digital ID system as an example.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Labour Party is considering introducing digital ID cards for all British citizens to tackle illegal immigration.
  • The plan aims to combat migrants working in the black economy and benefit fraud, amid a public backlash over the surge in Channel migrants and asylum hotels.
  • The proposal has been previously discussed but was scrapped by the Conservative-led coalition in 2010.
  • Estonia's digital ID system, which allows citizens to access various services and register important life events, is being cited as an example of what could work in the UK.
  • The Labour Party has previously supported the idea of digital ID, with its think tank, Labour Together, releasing a report in June backing compulsory digital ID for every adult to crack down on illegal migration.
  • The report estimated that implementing digital ID would cost as little as £140m to build and between £5m and £10m per year to administer.
  • Polls show that 80% of the public support the introduction of digital right-to-work credentials, which could help deter people from coming to the UK illegally to work.

Statistics:

  • 4.3 million e-visas have been issued in the UK.
  • Estonia's digital ID system allows citizens to access various services, including registering births, marriages, and deaths, as well as accessing bank accounts and voting.
  • 80% of the public support the introduction of digital right-to-work credentials.

Sources:

  • "Labour Together" report, June 2023
  • Pat McFadden, Cabinet Office minister, speaking in Estonia
  • No 10, official statement, 2023
  • Ben Montgomery, credit for photograph
  • Stefan Rousseau/PA, credit for photograph

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