DEVELOPING: Keir Starmer Unveils Digital ID Scheme Plans in Surprise Move

Breaking News: Keir Starmer Unveils Digital ID Scheme Plans Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce plans for a compulsory UK-wide digital ID scheme in a speech on Friday, according to senior government sources. The move aims to crack down on illegal working and modernise the state. The prime minister believes a digital ID system would help tackle issues such as identity theft and benefit fraud. A consultation will be launched to explore how the scheme can work for those without access to smartphones or passports. This is not the first time Labour has proposed an ID card scheme, but Starmer argues that the debate has "moved on" since the last attempt was blocked by a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in 2009. He points out that people now carry more digital identification than ever before. The practicalities of the scheme will be subject to public consultation, which is expected to begin shortly after the announcement. This is a developing story and further details will be published as they become available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Bbc.*