UK to Introduce Mandatory Digital ID Cards to Curb Illegal Migration

The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce a mandatory digital identity system for all British citizens and legal residents in a move aimed at tackling illegal migration and strengthening border control.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Friday that the new digital ID cards will be stored on citizens’ mobile phones and used as proof of the right to work. While the IDs will become mandatory for verification, people will not be required to carry or display them routinely, according to PA Media.

The scheme is set to be rolled out to both UK nationals and legal residents by the end of the current parliamentary term.

Starmer said the digital ID initiative will make it significantly harder for undocumented migrants to work illegally in Britain, describing it as a measure to secure the country’s borders while offering added convenience to citizens.

He added that working-class communities have legitimate concerns about the scale of illegal immigration and stressed that his government is listening and taking action.

Beyond migration control, the Prime Minister highlighted the broader benefits of digital IDs, including quicker access to essential services without the need for outdated paper documents such as utility bills.

Officials argue that the digital identity scheme represents a major step forward in modernizing the UK’s public services while addressing long-standing concerns over border security and illegal employment.