UK Plans Mandatory Digital ID for Scots to Curb Illegal Immigration Amid Civil Liberty Concerns

The UK Government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, plans to introduce a mandatory digital ID system by the end of the current parliamentary term to curb illegal immigration and verify right to work in the UK. This digital ID, often referred to in media as the "BritCard," will be free, held on smartphones, and used to securely prove identity and residency status, though officials emphasize it is not a physical card. The government argues the scheme will also offer benefits like easier access to public services and a secure online identity, comparable to systems in countries like Australia and Denmark. However, the proposal faces significant opposition from civil liberty groups and regional leaders such as Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and Plaid Cymru in Wales, who raise concerns about privacy, civil liberties, digital exclusion, and national identity implications. Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander dismissed criticisms, stressing the digital ID is the "way of the future" and denying it will be called a "BritCard," while affirming the plan's goal to tackle illegal working. The debate highlights tensions between immigration control policies and concerns about personal freedoms and identity across the UK nations.