That this House rejects proposals to introduce mandatory digital identification (ID) cards across the UK; notes with concern that such measures are being falsely presented as a solution to illegal immigration, despite no credible evidence that digital ID schemes prevent unlawful entry or stop people trafficking; further notes that illegal immigration is primarily a border and enforcement issue that will not be resolved by increased monitoring of law-abiding citizens; believes that digital ID systems risk creating a presumption of suspicion against the entire population while doing little to deter those acting outside the law; recalls that previous attempts to impose ID cards in the UK were abandoned due to widespread public opposition and fundamental civil liberty concerns; and calls on the Government to rule out the introduction of digital ID in any part of the United Kingdom, ensuring that Northern Ireland is not treated differently, and that the rights to privacy and freedom remain equal across all four nations.
