Overview

• The prime minister is due to outline the proposal in a speech on Friday as part of efforts to curb illegal employment linked to Channel crossings.
• The digital credential would verify an individual’s right to live and work, with new hires required to present it for automated checks against a central database.
• Plans described by officials include logging employer checks and comparing them with HMRC payroll data to flag suspected illegal working.
• Ministers including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood have signaled support, and French President Emmanuel Macron’s warnings about UK pull factors have influenced the push.
• Civil liberties groups say a mandatory ID would harm privacy and equality and have gathered more than 100,000 signatures opposing it, while reports differ on whether the scheme would be universal or limited to workers.