Salford Labour MP Rebecca Long Bailey has said government plans to introduce a national digital ID scheme would raise serious questions about privacy and civil liberties.

This comes after serious debate about the implementation of digital identification, which the government announced last week.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer argued that digital ID would improve access to public services, help tackle issues such as illegal working and make the borders more secure.

Salford Labour MP Rebecca Long Bailey said: “A universal digital ID scheme would represent a significant erosion of privacy and civil liberties, with little evidence it would achieve its stated aims.

“It risks embedding discrimination and exclusion, poses serious security vulnerabilities, and would fundamentally change the relationship between citizens and the state.”

She also said: “I have written to the Home Secretary, urging her to reconsider these proposals and instead pursue less intrusive, rights-respecting ways of improving public services and addressing immigration issues.”

Salford Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Heilbron said: “Liberal Democrats cannot support a mandatory digital ID where people are forced to turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives.

“People shouldn’t be turned into criminals just because they can’t have a digital ID, or choose not to. This will be especially worrying to millions of older people, people living in poverty and disabled people – who are more likely to be digitally excluded.”

The ID cards have also received backlash from the public, with more than 2.5 million people signing a petition that demands that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing digital ID cards.

Residents in Salford have also shared mixed opinions about the scheme. Louise Brown, 44, said: “I don’t think it will work. I don’t agree with it. It’s just the government trying to control us.”

Jordan Walkden, 31, said: “I don’t mind it to be fair to you because I honestly think people should be born with identification anyway. It would make it a lot easier for them to keep an eye on people as well.”

The Government has said the scheme will launch by 2029 but will release more information about the plans later this year.

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