Ministers are facing demands from Labour backbenchers to bring in a ‘digital ID’ system for all Brits, saying it will help tackle illegal immigration and boost economic growth.
More than 40 MPs have signed a letter calling for speedier cross-government work on a modern equivalent of ID cards, a system proposed by Tony Blair when he was PM.
In a letter organised by MP Jake Richards they argue that the system would crack down on illegal working and boost productivity while improving access to medical care.
The MPs come from three groups, the Labour Growth Group, the Red Wall Group and Blue Labour, which are seen as being on the moderate wing of the party.
Their intervention, ahead of the local elections next month, follows that of Sir Tony, who in January said digital identification should be deployed to help the UK solve migration problems and other issues.
Ministers are already launching a digital ‘wallet’ which will allow people to store driving licences and other forms of ID on their smartphones.
Rother Valley MP Mr Richards said: ‘We know a joined-up Digital ID can drive huge gains in public sector productivity, unlock innovation and make it harder for those entering the country illegally to access work or public services.
‘This is the kind of transformative, common sense voters across the UK are crying out for but Government has got to move rapidly if we’re going to make it a reality.
More than 40 MPs have signed a letter calling for speedy cross-government work on a modern equivalent of ID cards, a system proposed by Tony Blair when he was PM. Pictured is a system used in Australia
Rother Valley MP Mr Richards said ‘We know a joined-up Digital ID can drive huge gains in public sector productivity, unlock innovation and make it harder for those entering the country illegally to access work or public services
Their intervention, ahead of the local elections next month, follows that of Sir Tony, who in January said digital identification should be deployed to help the UK solve migration problems and other issues
‘Delivering Digital ID is the first step in placing our focus on an agenda of rights and responsibilities – across law and order, public services, immigration and welfare. The policy imperative alone is vital but there is also a powerful political case to be built around it.’
In January Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said ‘nothing is off the table’ in terms of what digital versions of Government-issued documents could be stored in the new Gov.uk app.
The app for Government services will be launched by June and will include a digital wallet to store documents, beginning with a veteran card and then a pilot of driving licences by the end of the year.
The app also aims to join up services so people can pay their car tax and receive their child benefit in the same place.
The wallet will make use of security features already built into modern smartphones, including facial recognition – similar to how people use such tools to pay for things using a digital bank card on their phone.
Physical documents will remain available and there are no plans to make the digital versions compulsory, Mr Kyle said.
DBS checks and marriage certificates are among the credentials the Government hopes to have available inside the wallet by the end of 2027.
He said it was possible that it could be used for people to store and display their immigration status in future.
