Labour MPs Push for Digital IDs to Tackle Migration and Modernize Services

Over 40 MPs launch a coordinated campaign to revive digital identification, highlighting benefits for immigration control and public sector efficiency.

• More than 40 Labour MPs from key backbench groups have called for digital IDs to address illegal migration and improve access to public services.
• The campaign, led by Jake Richards, emphasizes the role of digital IDs in curbing 'off-the-books' employment and modernizing government infrastructure.
• Advocates argue that digital IDs could streamline interactions with services like the NHS and passport renewals, boosting public sector productivity.
• The proposal draws inspiration from successful systems in the EU, Estonia, and India, while stressing the importance of privacy protections.
• The government has reaffirmed its rejection of mandatory digital IDs, focusing instead on smartphone-enabled passports and measures to control small boat crossings.

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