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Last month, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer revealed plans for a new digital ID scheme that will be accessible to all UK citizens and legal residents. The ID won't need to be carried around and will only be required in one specific situation ; proving their Right to Work. The digital ID will be compulsory when applying for a job that requires a Right to Work check. Labour aims to have this requirement in place by the end of Parliament. The hope is that this will deter those in the UK illegally from seeking employment. It's also expected to streamline processes that currently rely on paper records and physical copies of identity documents. Some other circumstances that the digital ID could be used: The ID will be stored on your mobile phone, much like the digital driving licence that the government has announced plans to introduce. Sir Keir Starmer stated: "I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering. "Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. "And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly - rather than hunting around for an old utility bill. "We are doing the hard graft to deliver a fairer Britain for those who want to see change, not division. That is at the heart of our Plan for Change, which is focused on delivering for those who want to see their communities thrive again." The Prime Minister reassured that people won't require the ID to gain hospital admission or to avail public services, with the Right to Work check being the only mandatory place for its use. The proposed plans also highlighted that it will be designed keeping inclusivity in mind for those utilising assistive technologies, needing physical alternatives or unable to use digital technologies.
