Digital ID will be mandatory for right to work checks by the end of this parliament, the prime minister said today. Sir Keir Starmer was announcing a much-trailed revival of the national identity scheme set up by his predecessor Tony Blair and cancelled by the incoming coalition government in 2010. 

Rather than a physical card, the digital ID will be hosted on mobile phones, alongside the digital driving licence which the government has already announced plans to introduce. There will be no requirement for individuals to carry their ID or be asked to produce it - but digital ID will be mandatory as a means of proving the right to work.

Starmer said: ’Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure. And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly - rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.’

The government said it will listen to a range of views on how the service will be delivered, as part of a public consultation to be launched later this year. 'The public consultation will engage with groups who aren’t as experienced with the digital world, like the homeless and older people, learning from other countries that have done this well.'

The new digital ID will be the authoritative proof of who someone is and their residency status in this country. It will therefore include name, date of birth, information on nationality or residency status, and a photo - as the basis for biometric security – just like an eVisa or Passport. The consultation will consider whether including additional information, like address, would be helpful.

Some specialist lawyers questioned the scheme's ability to curb illegal working. Emma Brooksbank, immigration partner at national law firm Freeths, said: 'Right to work checks were introduced decades ago, in 1996, and current illegal working legislation has been in place since 2008. While the process for checking a prospective employee’s identity and right to work status has changed over the years, the fundamental requirement to undertake a check of all employees has not changed. This requirement has included British citizens and all overseas nationals, without exception.

'Despite these requirements, illegal, exploitative work has continued to be made available by employers who choose not to comply with right to work requirements, and illegal workers have continued to engage in this.'

Meanwhile Akiko Hart, dirctor of campaign group Liberty, said: ’The evidence from countries with established digital ID systems show it won’t reduce irregular migration. But it will create a host of human rights issues. The government should not pursue a policy that not only won’t achieve its goals, but will lead to discrimination and exclusion in the process.’