Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 19, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleUK PM Keir Starmer is advancing digital ID plans to reform immigration, with potential uses in employment and rentals.
(Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is moving forward with plans to introduce digital identification systems as part of efforts to overhaul the country's asylum and immigration system, with an announcement anticipated as early as his party's conference this month, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
The finer details of the scheme were still being ironed out and the timeline could change, the report added, citing two people briefed on the matter.
Immigration and asylum remain at the heart of Britain's political debate, with the government under pressure to curb record migrant arrivals in small boats, while also addressing the strain of housing tens of thousands of asylum seekers.
One option under consideration would give digital IDs to all people legally entitled to reside in Britain, whether citizens or those with legal immigration status, the Financial Times said.
The digital ID could be used for employment verification and rental agreements, though the government may still narrow the scope or revisit the plan, the newspaper added.
A government spokesperson said Britain was committed to expanding the use of technology to make it easier for people to access services, pointing to existing systems such as e-visas and the NHS app.
"We will look at any serious proposals that would help people access public services, including digital ID," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters.
(Reporting by Surbhi Misra and Harshita Meenaktshi in Bengaluru, Editing by Franklin Paul and Marguerita Choy)
The digital ID system aims to overhaul the UK's asylum and immigration system, making it easier for people to access services.
The proposal considers giving digital IDs to all individuals legally entitled to reside in Britain, including citizens and those with legal immigration status.
The digital ID could be utilized for employment verification and rental agreements, although the government may refine its scope.
A government spokesperson emphasized the commitment to expanding technology use to facilitate access to public services, including digital ID.
The UK government is under pressure to manage record migrant arrivals while addressing the impact on housing and public services.
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