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Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) is considering introducing digital ID cards to tackle illegal Channel crossings, Downing Street has confirmed. The Prime Minister will chair a ministerial meeting on Tuesday afternoon to plan "further and faster" action on illegal migration.
Downing Street stopped short of committing to compulsory national identification cards. The government is exploring options to crack down on what officials describe as "pull factors" encouraging migrants to attempt dangerous crossings.
New housing plans emerge
Ministers are discussing housing migrants in modular buildings at old industrial sites and former military locations to clear asylum hotels. The move comes as the government faces pressure to empty hotels that have become focal points for recent demonstrations.
The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, has drawn particular attention after an asylum seeker housed there was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl last month. He has denied the charges.
Government targets multiple measures
The Prime Minister's official spokesman outlined the comprehensive approach during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. "He said it was easy to understand the frustration people feel at the level of illegal crossings and the site of asylum hotels in their communities," the spokesman said.
The strategy includes working with French authorities, targeting illegal working, and accelerating hotel closures. "This includes continuing to work with the French authorities, cracking down on pull factors and illegal working, including exploring options around digital ID, accelerating the closure of hotels and looking at better forms of accommodation, and driving further progress returning people with no right to be here," the spokesman added.
Student visa crackdown launched
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the suspension of the refugee family reunion route this week as part of broader migration limits. The government is also targeting international students who claim asylum after their visas expire.
Nearly 10,000 students and dependants received direct contact last week warning they must leave if they have no right to remain. The Home Office message warns that asylum claims lacking merit will be "swiftly and robustly refused".
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
