Labour’s technology secretary, Liz Kendall, was skewered by BBC viewers after considering a new idea to tackle illegal immigration

BBC Breakfast: Kendall quizzed on migrant return scheme

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has been branded “delusional” by BBC Breakfast viewers after her car crash interview revealed that the government are considering other ways to stop illegal immigration, including the introduction of digital ID. During Wednesday’s (September 17) programme, the politician was questioned by presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent when she addressed the idea. Kendall said: “Keir Starmer, our Prime Minister, has said we are looking at what other countries have done to bring in a digital accreditation.

“I think there’s real benefits right across here, from obviously dealing with illegal working, but also, actually, if your viewers imagine that they had one credential that would allow them access all the different government services … I do think this could be a real benefit here if there was one route in.” Kendall continued: “As well as the benefits it could have with illegal migration, we’re looking at that and I think it is an interesting idea that other countries have taken on board and we want to learn from what they’ve done.” Despite this, viewers were left unimpressed, as they shared their thoughts online, one fumed: “More delusion, similar to AI benefiting the U.K. by 10% over 5 years.”

Liz Kendall was blasted by viewers on BBC Breakfast (Image: BBC)

A second added: “Yeah. Digital ID is a really great idea… Right up until the system is hacked and everyone’s personal information is posted on the dark web!”

Another raged: “How will it help when the dinghy boys throw their documents into the sea? This is not about immigration, it’s about us not complaining about it!! NO!!”

One BBC viewer suggested: “‘Could be used to help tackle illegal immigration’ No it can’t – its just another excuse to try to get ID cards by the backdoor.”

“How does help with stopping illegal migration? It’s total bollox to say it does, those migrants working illegally are already here doing it.” questioned another.

As one accused the Government of “trying to introduce Digital ID under the guise of the boat crisis.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer may consider the digital ID (Image: Getty)

Earlier this month, Starmer also addressed the proposed initiative and said that the new identity programme could play an “important part” in reducing the incentive to enter the UK without permission.

He added that things had “moved on” since the fraught debate over ID cards under the last Labour Government in the mid-2000s.

Speaking to the BBC, the Prime minister said: “We all carry a lot more digital ID now than we did 20 years ago, and I think that psychologically, it plays a different part.”

Asked whether a new scheme could play a role in reducing the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for illegal migrants, he added: “My instinct is it can play an important part. Obviously we need to look through some of the detail.”

However, Starmer did not confirm whether any new digital ID scheme would be mandatory.