I have no objection in principle to Digital ID. After all, most of us have a driving licence, passport, NHS number, and a National Insurance number.

So why have another ID?

Keir Starmer says it is to Stop the Boats and prevent illegal immigrants from working. But the law already obliges employers to check the eligibility of employees to work and they face penalties if they are caught employing illegal immigrants.

The fact is that that a number of employers in the UK choose to work in the dark economy. They don’t care whom they employ and do not make the statutory checks. They will not be put off by yet another digital ID. Starmer’s tired gimmick is pointless.

It is costly, another burden on legitimate employers, and won’t achieve its aims.  And it will not deter any boat crossings.