UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer surprised many with an announcement this week that people would not be able to work in the UK without a digital ID.
Guernsey’s relationship with the UK and its borders can be complicated, with the UK Government responsible for the defence and international relations for the islands, while the islands form part of the border for the British Isles as a whole.
Policy & Resources president Lindsay de Sausmarez said the States was trying to find out more about the UK announcement.
‘We note the Prime Minister’s announcement and will seek clarity on any implications for islanders,’ she said.
‘No such decision around mandatory digital ID has been made in Guernsey.’
The UK move has been made in a bid to stop people working illegally in the UK.
But it has faced a strong backlash from opposition parties, with worries about privacy and that this announcement was a distraction from dealing with small boat immigration.
There are still many unanswered questions about how the scheme could work.
It is understood it would include names, dates of birth, nationality and a photo. It may include people’s addresses.
It could be held on a person’s phone, but it would only be requested when needing to prove a right to work in the UK.
It is not known when it could be introduced, apart from that it would be during this parliamentary term, which runs until summer 2029.
It is unclear how it could work for people who do not have smartphones.
In the UK there was a requirement to have ID cards during the Second World War, but this expired in the 1950s.
There have been attempts to reintroduce them since then, but they have not gained any traction.
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