Labour proposes universal digital ID for all British adults, launching 'Brit card' plan
The proposal would require every adult to hold a government-issued digital identity to tackle illegal migration, drawing privacy concerns.
LONDON — Labour plans to require every adult in Britain to hold a government-issued digital identity, according to proposals to be unveiled by party leader Keir Starmer. The virtual ID would be known as a 'Brit card' and is pitched as a tool to verify identity for official purposes and to access public services.
The plan would frame the 'Brit card' as the virtual identity used to verify people for official purposes and to access public services. Labour says the measure is intended to help tackle illegal migration, though few technical details have been released.
Privacy campaigners quickly dismissed the proposal, warning of potential risks to civil liberties and data protection. Critics have called for stringent safeguards and independent oversight before any rollout. Labour has not released a full policy document or timetable, and it remains unclear how such a universal digital ID would be implemented in practice.
The plan is set to be unveiled by Keir Starmer, with specifics to follow. It marks a significant policy shift in how identity verification could be managed in Britain, as supporters argue it would modernize services and strengthen border controls. No definitive timeline or cost estimates were provided in the initial briefing.