The Prime Minister looks set to announce the launch of digital ID cards in an attempt to clamp down on illegal immigration.
Insiders say Keir Starmer plans to announce the digital ID scheme at the next Labour Conference, which is due to begin on September 28.
However, details of the scheme are still being fine-tuned and the announcement date could shift, The Sun reports.
Starmer reportedly believes digital ID could act as a deterrent for illegal migrants trying to settle in the UK.
The plans have been given a ready show of support by cabinet members in recent weeks, ahead of the expected announcement at conference.
Ministers are also said to have backed the proposals after outrage over migrants gaining work illegally as Deliveroo and Just Eat delivery drivers.
Earlier this month, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said ID cards could "help with illegal working enforcement" and "deal with the pull factors" attracting migrants to the UK.
She said: "My long-term personal political view has always been in favour of ID cards."
The scheme aims to give a digital ID to everyone with a legal right to be in the UK, which can be downloaded on to their phones.
This includes foreigners with legalised immigration status and British citizenship. Insiders say the scheme's success is dependent on it being taken up be residents as well as businesses and organisations.
The document would most likely be used to check people’s right-to-work status and eligibility for rental agreements.
A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to using tech to make it easier for people to interact with the state, learning from other countries on how best to deliver this for citizens.
“We will look at any serious proposals that would help people access public services, including digital ID.”
Earlier this month, former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper suggested to broadcasters the Government was confident it can speed up efforts to empty the hotels before its self-imposed deadline of the end of the Parliament.
But she appeared at odds with No 10 when she failed to guarantee that returns under the Government’s “one-in, one-out” deal with France would begin in September.
In contrast, the PM’s spokesman was confident returns would start within the month, telling reporters: “We fully expect that to happen.”
