Shafaqna English- The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce a digital ID scheme in a bid to curb undocumented immigration.
Announced by the government on Friday (26 Sep 2025), the scheme will enable the digital ID of British citizens and residents to be stored on phones. The government said there will be no requirement for individuals to carry their ID or be asked to produce it, but that it will be “mandatory” for workers.
The UK has long resisted the idea of Identity cards, which were abolished after World War II, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government is under pressure to tackle immigration that populist forces claim is uncontrolled.
The free digital ID would include a person’s name, date of birth, and photo, as well as information on their nationality and residency status.
Sources: Aljazeera