Compulsory ID cards supported by nearly six in 10 Brits as PM weighs up plan

Nearly six in 10 Brits are in favour of a national ID card scheme, polling shows.

Keir Starmer is weighing up the controversial measure, which supporters argue will make it easier to identify illegal workers. This will in turn drive down small boat crossings, it is claimed.

Data from Ipsos shows 57% of voters support national ID cards - although this drops off after people answer a handful of questions about digital ID. Meanwhile thousands of people have signed a petition calling on the Government to drop any plans for compulsory ID.

READ MORE: Rachel Reeves 'must bring in wealth taxes to show she's on side of ordinary Brits'

READ MORE: Labour 'won't be welcomed at conference in Liverpool if Hillsborough Law not sorted' warning

Gideon Skinner, senior director of UK politics at Ipsos, said: "On the surface, a majority of Britons support the principle of a national ID card, seeing the practical upsides for daily life and for its potential to control illegal immigration.

"However, these latest findings also reveal significant concerns from the public around data security and a lack of confidence in the government's ability to manage large, complex IT projects – while the details of exactly what data ID cards might hold will also make a difference.

"We have seen British public support for the concept of ID cards in principle in Ipsos data going back decades, although there are some indications that there is slightly less enthusiasm and more questions about its implications in today’s circumstances."

A survey of more than 1,000 adults carried out by Ipsos found 57% of voters back national ID cards, with support highest among Conservative voters and those over 55. Those in favour said convenience and preventing illegal migration were their main reasons.

But 61% said they do not trust the Government to bring it in smoothly. After being asked specifically about digital ID cards at the end of the survey - after answering a number of questions about the issue - support is more split.

Ipsos found 38% were in favour to compulsory digital ID, with 32% opposed. More than 14,000 people had signed a petition on the Parliament website calling for the idea to be torpedoed.

Petition creator Maxim Sutcliff branded it a "step towards mass surveillance and digital control" and "no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system".

According to polling shown to The Mirror, a majority (58%) said they would be happy to carry an ID card at all times - although this was 83% in 2004. A third, 32%, do not want to carry an ID card at all times.

More than half are happy for their date of birth, a photograph and blood type stored on an ID card. But there is more opposition to DNA details, fingerprints and social security records.

Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair has long argued for national ID cards. Ryan Wain, executive political director at the Tony Blair Institute, told The Mirror: "Done properly, digital ID won’t just catch dodgy employers – it will kill the demand for them. No fake papers. No backdoor shortcuts. Real-time proof of who’s entitled to work, rent and bank.

"The loopholes vanish, the business model collapses."

Keir Starmer faces widespread calls to bring in the measure to target illegal working. Mr Starmer chaired a meeting of senior ministers on Tuesday about going "further and faster" to tackle illegal migration and close asylum hotels.

No10 confirmed that digital ID cards - which would be displayed on smartphones - were discussed.

At the weekend Cabinet member Pat McFadden said the UK was "behind the curve" as he said digital IDs could be applied to support a clampdown on small boat crossings.

The software would be produced to prove people have the right to work. The PM's official spokesman said: "We're willing to look at what works when it comes to tackling illegal migration, and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr McFadden) referenced that over the weekend in terms of applications of digital ID to the immigration system."

Mr McFadden has been in Estonia in recent days, where he has looked at the country's use of digital ID cards.

Backers say a new 'BritCard' - which would be linked to Government records - would help tackle illegal migration and rogue landlords. In the summer think-tank Labour Together said the smartphone ID app would make right-to-rent and right-to-work checks quicker and easier.

Its recommendation was passed to Downing Street's policy unit for consideration. BritCards would be issued free of charge to everyone with the right to live and work in the UK, the group said.

It estimated it would cost between £140million and £400million to set up.

:: Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,116 adults between July 18 and 25 this year::

READ MORE: Join our Mirror politics WhatsApp group to get the latest updates from Westminster