Mandatory digital ID system for all UK adults

Starmer to unveil mandatory digital ID system for all UK adults

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing to announce a sweeping new policy that would require every adult in Britain to hold a government-issued digital identification card. The proposal, expected to be outlined in a speech on Friday, marks one of the most ambitious reforms of the government’s immigration and identity system in decades.

The digital credential, informally referred to in Whitehall as the “BritCard”, would be issued through a government-run app. It would allow employers, landlords, banks, and public authorities to verify instantly whether an individual has the legal right to live, work, or rent in the United Kingdom.

Supporters of the scheme argue it will strengthen immigration control, reduce fraud, and close loopholes that allow illegal working and exploitation in the housing market. Ministers backing the plan say it will modernise outdated verification systems and bring Britain in line with other European countries that already operate digital identity frameworks.

Critics, however, warn that compulsory ID risks eroding civil liberties and could leave vulnerable groups locked out of essential services. Privacy campaigners say the system may concentrate too much personal data in the hands of the state, while opposition politicians are expected to raise concerns over costs and technical reliability.

The government has not yet published a timetable for rollout, though officials have indicated legislation and a public consultation would be required before the scheme could take effect. For now, Starmer is set to frame the move as a decisive step to restore public confidence in Britain’s immigration system, while insisting that the IDs will not be used for healthcare or routine police checks.

If implemented, the digital ID would represent the most significant shift in Britain’s approach to identity management since the collapse of Tony Blair’s ID card project nearly two decades ago.