Sir Keir Starmer is giving serious consideration to the idea of introducing a digital ID system – in defiance of longstanding warnings by civil liberty advocates.
The Prime Minister reportedly sees the proposal as necessary if Labour is to crack down on illegal immigration and make public service delivery more efficient, The Times reported.
As Director of Prosecutions, Sir Keir was a self-styled ‘moderniser’ who singled out the use of paper files and the need for the profession to utilise modern IT solution.
Now cabinet colleagues say that the PM has growth increasing convinced of the need to harness the power of technology to challenge some of the biggest problems facing his government.
While no proposal is expected soon, Downing Street is reported to be considering the ‘workability’ of issuing every individual a unique digital identifier.
The tag would be used to check an individual’s right to live and work in this country, as well as their eligibility to access healthcare or housing.
Advisors to Sir Keir believe such a system could help smooth the friction between individuals and the state, and have noted the success of the official NHS app.
There would reportedly be no requirement to carry any kind of physical ID card, in much the same way as national insurance cards work now.
Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) is reportedly giving serious consideration to the idea of introducing a digital ID system
While no proposal is expected soon, Downing Street is reported to be considering the ‘workability’ of issuing every individual a unique digital identifier
The tag would be used to check an individual’s right to live and work in this country, as well as their eligibility to access healthcare or housing
A system of identity cards was originally introduced in September 1939 under the National Registration Act – but it was repealed in May 1952. Pictured: An enumerator visits a household in the UK to deliver a compulsory registration form to a householder
A system of identity cards was originally introduced in September 1939 under the National Registration Act – but it was repealed in May 1952.
A huge driver for the introduction of a universal digital ID appears to be a new paper by the Tony Blair Institute, commissioned by Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
The paper presents digital ID as a crucial step in meeting the demands of voters in the modern world, as well helping to curtail immigration in a bid to neuter the threat of Reform UK.
The proposal has reportedly been met with enthusiasm by several of the most influential figures in the Labour cabinet.
Proponents of the scheme are believed to include health secretary Wes Streeting, technology secretary Peter Kyle and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden.
One senior Labour figure told The Times: ‘I think it is now coming. Yvette is no longer resistant. They’re working through the how.’
Another senior figure added: ‘There is overwhelming support in the parliamentary party, so I am hoping we get to the conclusion soon.’
