Britain’s newly elected Labour government has ruled out introducing digital ID cards, despite former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair suggesting they could help control immigration.
Initially, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds mentioned that the home secretary would consider “all sources of advice” on the issue. However, he later clarified on Times Radio that ID cards were not part of the government’s plans.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that ID cards were not in the party’s election manifesto and emphasized that it was “not our approach.”
Sir Tony Blair, who had introduced legislation for compulsory identity cards during his tenure, argued in the Sunday Times for a system of digital ID to control immigration effectively. He believed that digital ID would help clarify who has the right to be in the country and proposed that without it, new border controls would need to be highly effective.
Nonetheless, Cooper reiterated that digital ID cards were not in their plans, focusing instead on new enforcement measures and targeting people-smuggling gangs.
The UK government faces significant challenges with illegal immigration, particularly with over 13,000 people crossing the Channel in small boats this year, a higher figure than the same period last year. The previous Conservative government’s plan to send illegal arrivals to Rwanda was scrapped by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who labeled it an expensive gimmick.
Labour has pledged to establish a new Border Security Command to tackle illegal immigration, combining Border Force officials, police, and intelligence agencies, and using counter-terror powers to address people-smuggling gangs. Recruitment for the leader of this command is set to begin soon.
Source: BBC News
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July 8, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy
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