Sir Keir Starmer issues update on new digital ID cards after backlash

Protests against the proposed scheme took place in London last weekend

Sir Keir Starmer has said digital IDs will "cut the faff" as he sought to win back public support for the scheme following significant backlash in recent weeks.

The Prime Minister insisted the identification system would be voluntary and denied reports it would be needed to get into hospital.

This clarification comes amid concerns about its potential impact on accessing public services, civil liberties and data protection.

The proposed smartphone identification announced by Sir Keir last month, with plans for it to be introduced by 2029, would be mandatory for anyone working in the UK.

The scheme is part of efforts to clamp down on illegal working and therefore curb illegal migration.

However, at a visit to a Barclays branch in Brighton on Thursday, the Prime Minister was keen to stress that "apart from the right to work", it "won’t be mandatory".

He told staff at the bank that digital ID would "really help" with security for customers after workers told him they deal with victims of scams and fraud every day.

The Labour leader said customers at the bank had told him they were "really excited about it" and had relayed "everyday examples where you can just cut the faff".

"You’ll never need ID to get into a hospital or anything like that," Sir Keir told reporters from the BBC.