The new national identity card could be used to crack down on benefits cheats and ‘all sorts of other things’, Shabana Mahmood has said.
The Home Secretary’s remarks indicate a far wider ambition for the controversial project than simply verifying the right to work.
When Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined the plans to introduce digital ID cards by the end of this Parliament in 2029, he said it would only be mandatory for people showing they are allowed to take paid employment in Britain.
Ms Mahmood’s comments will alarm critics who fear such a scheme would be an Orwellian invasion of privacy and lead to a ‘papers please’ culture in Britain.
‘For me it’s always been a no-brainer, if one of the results of having an ID card is to clamp down on the ability of people to cheat the system,’ the Home Secretary told a fringe meeting at Labour conference.
Shabana Mahmood said a national identity card could be used to crack down on ‘benefits and all sorts of other things’
‘It’s not just about the working environment, it’s benefits and all sorts of other things.
‘People feel completely robbed when tahey see someone who does not play by the rules get away with it.’
Labour’s proposals will see a digital ID card which can be stored on smartphones, containing the holder’s name, address, nationality details and a ‘biometric’ photograph.
Asked if she hoped to one day be Prime Minister, Ms Mahmood said: ‘You shouldn’t believe anyone in politics who says they aren’t ambitious about the top job because they’re basically lying to you.
‘I’m very happy to be the Home Secretary.
Labour’s previous attempt at introducing a national identity card was ditched by the Coalition government in 2010
‘The only thing I’m focused on is being a successful Home Secretary, and building an immigration system and sorting out our streets.’
She added that she was ‘loyal’ to the Prime Minister.
