The United Kingdom is set to implement a mandatory digital identification system for all citizens and residents commencing new employment, a move primarily aimed at clamping down on illegal immigration, reports The WP Times with reference to Reuters.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to reports from Reuters, stated that the system would significantly complicate attempts at illegal employment. With immigration being a top concern for British voters, Starmer’s Labour government is under immense pressure to address the flow of people entering the country illegally via small boats from France.
The government confirms that the digital ID will be stored on individuals' mobile phones. It is slated to become a compulsory component of the checks that employers are already required to perform when hiring new personnel. This rollout is expected before the end of the current parliamentary term.
Beyond Employment: Benefits and Concerns
Over time, the digital ID is intended to be used for accessing a wider array of public services, including childcare, social security benefits, and tax records. The design of the new system will reportedly integrate "the best aspects" of similar digital identification programs already established in nations like Estonia, Denmark, Australia, and India.
Public opinion suggests a level of support. A July Ipsos poll indicated that over half of Britons (57%) are in favour of a national ID system, with convenience cited as the primary benefit.
However, the plan is not without significant opposition and public unease. Approximately three out of ten respondents in the same poll expressed considerable privacy concerns. These worries include the potential for personal data to be used without explicit permission, sold to private companies, or compromised through a security breach.
The Labour Party previously attempted to introduce ID cards during its time in government in the 2000s, but the proposal was ultimately scrapped due to widespread concerns over civil liberties.
The new proposal has also drawn criticism from nationalist politicians in Northern Ireland. In a region where many residents hold Irish rather than British passports, and where symbols of British authority are often contentious, Starmer's plan has been met with significant resistance.
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