Prime Minister Keir Starmer is looking into digital identification cards in a bid to crackdown on small boat crossings – and we’ve asked Mirror readers to have their say on the proposals
The Government is considering introducing digital ID cards for everyone in the UK to help tackle small boat crossings – and we want to hear your thoughts on the potential move. It comes after Keir Starmer chaired an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday, which focused on going “further and faster” to crackdown on illegal migration and close asylum hotels.
Downing Street said that a rollout of the technology – which would be displayed on smartphones – was discussed at the meeting, but did not confirm whether the ID cards would be made compulsory. The PM’s official spokesman said: “We’re willing to look at what works when it comes to tackling illegal migration, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr McFadden) referenced that over the weekend in terms of applications of digital ID to the immigration system.
“The point here is looking at what works, ensuring that we’re doing what we can to address some of the drivers of illegal migration, tackle those pull factors, ensure that we’re doing everything we can to crack down on illegal working.” The announcement arrives just days after Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said Britain is “behind the curve” as he backed a rollout on identification cards, which would be produced to prove people have the right to work.
Speaking to the Times, Mr McFadden said digital IDs could be applied to support a clampdown on small boat crossings and combat benefit fraud. Starmer faces widespread calls to bring in the measure to target illegal working – with Sir Tony Blair among one of the idea’s biggest fans.
Mr McFadden has been in Estonia in recent days, where he has looked at the country’s use of digital ID cards. At the weekend he said the debate around the controversial measure had “moved on” since Sir Tony first put the idea forward when he was Prime Minister.
The new ‘BritCard’ – which would be linked to Government records – would help tackle illegal migration and rogue landlords, say those supporting the plans. In the summer, think-tank Labour Together said the smartphone ID app would make right-to-rent and right-to-work checks quicker and easier.
Backbench MPs Jake Richards and Adam Jogee said in June the ID cards would be a “full, country-wide effort” allowing people to prove their right to be here. Labour Together said in a report that a “mandatory, universal, national identity credential” can help the UK secure its borders.
Meanwhile, Big Brother Watch said the mandatory technology would lead to a “dystopian nightmare”, where Brits would be “forced through digital checkpoints to go about our everyday lives”. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, interim director Rebecca Vincent said the ID cards would “simply put the burden on the already law-abiding citizens to prove their right to be here.”
BritCards would be issued free of charge to everyone with the right to live and work in the UK, the group said. It estimated it would cost between £140million and £400million to set up. The latest update comes as the Government faces growing pressure to drive down small boat crossings and get people out of asylum hotels.
At the end of June there were just over 32,000 asylum seekers living in hotels across the country while their claims were processed. We want to know if you think digital ID cards will help tackle small boat crossings. Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.
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