Overview

• Downing Street said digital identification is under examination to address pull factors and illegal working, with no decision yet on mandating, design, enrollment, or timing.
• Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden is leading the work after studying Estonia’s model, warning the UK risks being behind the curve on digital identity.
• An emergency meeting also looked at accelerating the closure of asylum hotels by using modular buildings and locating accommodation on industrial or ex‑military sites.
• Civil liberties groups including Big Brother Watch and Liberty condemned any mandatory scheme as intrusive and ineffective at stopping crossings, citing privacy and discrimination risks.
• Advocates such as the Tony Blair Institute and Labour Together back a universal ‘BritCard’ smartphone ID, estimating £140m–£400m in set‑up costs, as No 10 signals it is willing to look at what works.