Keir Starmer weighs up compulsory ID cards to stop small boats - how it would affect you

Keir Starmer is weighing up bringing in new digital ID cards for everyone in the UK in a bid to crack down on small boat crossings.

The PM faces widespread calls to bring in the measure to target illegal working - with Sir Tony Blair among one of the idea's biggest fans. Mr Starmer chaired a meeting of senior ministers on Tuesday about going "further and faster" to tackle illegal migration and close asylum hotels.

It emerged the Home Office looking into using industrial estates to house thousands of people while their claims are processed. No10 confirmed that digital ID cards - which would be displayed on smartphones - were discussed.

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At the weekend Cabinet member Pat McFadden said the UK was "behind the curve" as he said digital IDs could be applied to support a clampdown on small boat crossings. The software would be produced to prove people have the right to work.

The PM's official spokesman said: "We're willing to look at what works when it comes to tackling illegal migration, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr McFadden) referenced that over the weekend in terms of applications of digital ID to the immigration system.

"The point here is looking at what works, ensuring that we're doing what we can to address some of the drivers of illegal migration, tackle those pull factors, ensure that we're doing everything we can to crack down on illegal working."

Mr McFadden has been in Estonia in recent days, where he has looked at the country's use of digital ID cards. At the weekend he said the debate around the controversial measure had "moved on" since Sir Tony first put the idea forward when he was Prime Minister.

Backers say a new 'BritCard' - which would be linked to Government records - would help tackle illegal migration and rogue landlords. In the summer think-tank Labour Together said the smartphone ID app would make right-to-rent and right-to-work checks quicker and easier.

Its recommendation was passed to Downing Street's policy unit for consideration. Mr McFadden said on Sunday: “I think there are applications of digital ID to the immigration system, to the benefit system, to a number of areas which can show that we are interested in proper validation of people’s identity.”

Backbench MPs Jake Richards and Adam Jogee said in June the ID cards would be a "full, country-wide effort" allowing people to prove their right to be here. Labour Together said in a report that a "mandatory, universal, national identity credential" can help the UK secure its borders.

BritCards would be issued free of charge to everyone with the right to live and work in the UK, the group said. It estimated it would cost between £140million and £400million to set up. Mr Richards and Mr Jogee wrote that digital ID "will help improve the enforcement of our rules dramatically".

They continued: "But it is also progressive because it gives our residents and citizens thecast iron guarantees they have not previously had. This is your country.You have a right to be here. This will make your life easier."

The Government is under growing pressure to drive down small boat crossings and get people out of asylum hotels. At the end of June there were just over 32,000 asylum seekers living in hotels across the country while their claims were processed.

The Government says it will end their use completely by the end of the current Parliament in 2029, but Mr Starmer has indicated he wants to move faster. On Tuesday Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said "a range of different locations" including industrial sites were being looked at instead.

Ms Cooper said warehouses were “one of the things that’s been looked at”. And she said Home Office officials are exploring “alternative sites, more appropriate sites, including looking at military and industrial sites as well”.

No10 later said ministers are looking at housing migrants "using modular buildings, on industrial sites, ex-military sites" to clear asylum hotels. Asylum hotels have been at the heart of widespread protests over the summer.

Last week the Government won an appeal against a temporary High Court ruling that the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, had to close. It followed a complaint by Epping Forest District Council claiming planning rules had not been followed.

Ministers are braced for a wave of similar legal challenges, while Reform leader Nigel Farage called for peaceful protests outside venues housing asylum seekers in the wake of the Epping ruling. The Government says that while it wants to close hotels as quickly as possible, this needs to be done in a "managed" way.

What are digital ID cards?

Digital ID cards - which a think-tank has suggested calling BritCards - would be smartphone apps proving a person's right to be in the country.

Labour Together said they could include digital driving license and associated data, a proof of age feature, and healthcare records.

Would they be mandatory?

The Government has yet to put forward any solid proposals.

But in its report submitted to No10 in the summer, Labour Together said they should be mandatory, universal and free of charge.

What are the arguments in favour?

Supporters say it would bring a lot of useful information into one place, rather than having a heap of paperwork.

And they argue it could be a massive help tackling illegal working and rogue landlords.

The card would be produced during right to work checks, as well as checks by landlords.

What are the arguments against?

As Sir Tony Blair discovered at the turn of the century, mandatory ID is controversial.

The study earlier this summer revealed misuse of data down the line is the top concern among voters.

It could also push people toward illegal working and lead to greater persecution of migrant communities, it found.

How much would it cost?

Labour Together estimates it would cost between £140million and £400million to set up.

The ID cards would be free to download for individual users.

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