"The prime minister said a new identity programme could play an "important part" in reducing the incentive to enter the UK without permission. The last Labour government started issuing ID cards to UK citizens, but the scheme was scrapped by the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition over privacy concerns. But Sir Keir said he felt the debate had "moved on in the last 20 years"."
"Speaking to political editor Chris Mason, Sir Keir said: "We all carry a lot more digital ID now than we did twenty years ago, and I think that psychologically, it plays a different part." Asked whether a new scheme could play a role in reducing the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for illegal migrants, he added: "My instinct is it can play an important part. Obviously we need to look through some of the detail.""
The government is considering a digital ID scheme aimed at tackling illegal immigration, with the prime minister saying a new identity programme could play an important part in reducing incentives to enter the UK without permission. The last Labour government issued physical ID cards but the scheme was scrapped by the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition over privacy concerns and its database was destroyed. The prime minister said public attitudes have shifted over twenty years because people carry more digital ID now, but he did not confirm who would be obliged to acquire one. The proposal may reignite civil liberties debate.
Read at www.bbc.com
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