Starmer to unveil digital ID plan at Labour conference as migrant crisis dominates agenda

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to unveil plans to introduce digital identification cards for people living in the United Kingdom at the Labour Party conference later this month, a move tied to a broader push to overhaul the country’s asylum and immigration system. The prime minister has been exploring the idea in recent weeks, and an announcement could come as early as the annual gathering, which runs from Sept. 28. A Financial Times report described digital IDs as a potential cornerstone of a wider immigration strategy, with details still being refined by government aides.

One option under consideration would extend digital IDs to all people legally entitled to reside in Britain, whether citizens or those with lawful immigration status, a source briefed on the matter told the newspaper. The ID could be used for employment verification and rental agreements, though officials may narrow the scope or revisit the plan as the policy takes shape. Earlier this month, the prime minister said digital IDs could “play an important part” in making Britain less attractive to illegal migrants.

Critics warned that the proposal could usher in a nightmarish era of pervasive ID checks. Rebecca Vincent of Big Brother Watch said, "While Downing Street is scrambling to be seen as doing something about illegal immigration, we are sleepwalking into a dystopian nightmare where the entire population will be forced through myriad digital checkpoints to go about our everyday lives. ‘Mandatory digital ID’ will not stop small boat crossings, but it will create a burden on the already law-abiding population to prove our right to be here. It will turn Britain into a ‘Papers, please’ society." The group also warned about potential privacy and civil liberties concerns.

Gracie Bradley of Liberty argued that the new scheme could be even more intrusive, insecure and discriminatory than Labour’s own 2006 plan for national ID cards. She noted that a prior, aborted attempt at a national ID system under former prime minister Tony Blair’s administration had left lasting concerns about cost and civil rights. Bradley added that an “expensive and unjustified ID scheme … threatens our rights.”

Conservative justice spokesman Robert Jenrick weighed in, arguing that the policy would not address the root causes of illegal migration. He said: "Most employers who are employing individuals illegally are doing so knowingly. Asking them to check ID cards rather than the current checks that they are already obliged to do is not going to make a blind bit of difference to illegal migration." Jenrick’s comments reflected the party’s skepticism about the practical effectiveness of sweeping digital ID measures.

A government spokesperson responded by emphasising a broader commitment to expanding the use of technology to help people access services. The spokesperson pointed to existing digital tools such as e-visas and the NHS app and said Britain would consider any serious proposals that would help people access public services, including digital ID. "We will look at any serious proposals that would help people access public services, including digital ID," the statement said.

The conference, set to begin Sept. 28, comes amid heightened pressure on government to address record numbers of asylum seekers crossing the Channel and the strain on housing and public services. Proponents argue that a digital ID system could streamline service delivery, improve verification processes for employment and housing, and reduce friction in accessing government programs. Critics counter that such a system risks normalizing constant surveillance, excluding vulnerable populations, and placing unnecessary burdens on ordinary residents.

The debate has energetic cross-party dimensions. Some officials within Labour argue that a tech-enabled ID could modernise public administration and help ensure that only those with a legal right to reside can access certain services, while opponents warn of potential overreach and data-security concerns. In any case, the FT report indicates that the party leadership is seriously considering the proposal and may use the conference to outline its direction on digital identification as part of a broader migration policy platform.

Technology experts and civil liberties advocates say any move toward universal digital IDs would require stringent privacy protections, transparent oversight, and robust accountability mechanisms to prevent misuse and ensure proportionality. They stress the need for clear sunset clauses, independent data protection safeguards, and options for redress for individuals who believe their rights have been violated. The balance between security benefits and civil liberties will be central to the policy’s reception among lawmakers, interest groups, and the public, as Labour weighs the political and practical implications of such a measure.

As the Labour conference approaches, stakeholders will be watching not only the specifics of any digital ID plan but also how the party frames the policy within its broader approach to immigration, social welfare, and national security. The outcome could shape debates on whether technology should simplify access to services or become a gatekeeping mechanism tied to residency and eligibility.