UK politics live: Starmer set to announce details of ‘Brit card’ ID plan amid growing criticism – UK Times

For more information about how the ‘Brit card’ is set to work, reporter Albert Toth explains the digital ID and how it’ll be downloaded on to people’s phones.

Introducing digital IDs will not change what penalties companies face for failing to check their employees’ right to work, a Cabinet minister has said.

“Companies already are meant to check on whether people have the right to work in the UK and face penalties for that… they will continue to face those penalties,” Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told Times Radio.

But she said it would make it easier for businesses to do their checks.

“It makes it much easier for companies to be able to do this and to be able to check whether people are able to work legally or not, which means there is no excuse for not doing so.”

The cards will be free of charge, she said and funded under existing spending plans.

Sir Keir Starmer says plans for a new digital ID held on people’s phones will be an “enormous opportunity” for the UK and make working illegally tougher.

The prime minister said: “I know working people are worried about the level of illegal migration into this country. A secure border and controlled migration are reasonable demands, and this government is listening and delivering.

“Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK. It will make it tougher to work illegally in this country, making our borders more secure.

“And it will also offer ordinary citizens countless benefits, like being able to prove your identity to access key services swiftly – rather than hunting around for an old utility bill.”