Key points:
- The plan brings a new Brit Card for all adults. It shows who can live and work in Britain.
- Bosses must check each card with a state database. Officers then track rules and spot illegal work fast.
- Fans say checks get quick, simple, and hard to fake. Rights groups warn of big risks to privacy.
The UK plans a new digital ID for adults. Leaders say it will help stop illegal work. It will also speed checks for new staff. Sky News reports the push and early steps.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will set out the idea. He wants a clear, safe way to prove status. The card would show the right to live here. It would also show the right to work.
How the Brit Card would work
Each new hire must show the Brit Card at start. The boss then checks it with a central database. That check confirms if the person can work. It also helps officers track firms that break rules.
Today, many firms still check paper or plastic cards. Passports and permits make up most of those checks. Officials say crooks copy those items with ease. A live database could stop that kind of fake.
Fans say the system will save time for firms. They add it will cut fraud and reduce red tape. Supporters also think it can boost tax takes. They say fast checks help fair firms grow.
The plan still needs a public talk and laws. MPs must also vote on the final draft. Rollout would then take place in clear steps. The Home Office would lead much of the work.
Policy shifts shape daily life across cities as well. This month, a Lagos Trade Fair demolition drive stirred talks on rules and rights.
Pushback over privacy and data risk
Critics across parties fear the loss of privacy. They say the card could track people too much. David Davis says digital IDs are “profoundly dangerous” to freedom. He doubts the state can guard data from hacks.
Rights groups fear misuse by future leaders. They also fear leaks and wide data sharing. Some ask for strict limits on use and scope. Others want clear rules on who can view data.
The Prime Minister says he wants calm debate. He aims for firm checks that still guard rights. He says fair rules help both firms and staff. Later on, he will share more detailed steps.
Sector disruption also drew concern in nearby regions. A recent nationwide blackout risk showed how fast policy choices hit homes.
For now, the Brit Card stays as a live plan. Lawmakers will weigh costs, tech, and firm needs. The public will share views in the next phase. Final terms will shape how the card works.
