U.K. says it will introduce digital ID cards, reviving a contentious idea

LONDON — British citizens and permanent residents will have to produce a mandatory digital identification card in order to get work, the government announced Friday, reviving an idea that has long been controversial in the U.K.The government says the plan will help reduce unauthorized immigration by making it harder for people to work in the underground economy.

LONDON — British citizens and permanent residents will have to produce a mandatory digital identification card in order to get work, the government announced Friday, reviving an idea that has long been controversial in the U.K.

The government says the plan will help reduce unauthorized immigration by making it harder for people to work in the underground economy. It says it will also make it simpler for people to access health care, welfare, child care and other public services.

“It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. “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.”

Britain has not had compulsory identity cards for ordinary citizens since shortly after World War II, and the idea has long been contentious, with civil rights campaigners arguing it infringes personal liberty and puts people’s information at risk.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair tried to introduce biometric ID cards two decades ago as a way of fighting terrorism and fraud, but the plan was abandoned after strong opposition from the public and Parliament.