Starmer Eyes India’s Aadhaar As Model For UK’s Brit Card Digital ID

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised India’s Aadhaar digital ID as a “massive success” and announced plans for a UK digital identity programme, the Brit Card, drawing lessons from India’s experience, reported India Today.

During his two-day visit to Mumbai, Starmer met with Nandan Nilekani, Infosys co-founder and a key architect of Aadhaar, to discuss how the system rapidly scaled to benefit nearly 1.4 billion citizens.

Aadhaar assigns a unique 12-digit biometric ID to residents, streamlining access to welfare, banking, and other services while reportedly saving India billions in administrative costs.

Starmer emphasised that the Brit Card will differ from Aadhaar by excluding biometric data and focusing initially on curbing illegal employment.

“I don't know how many times the rest of you have had to look in the bottom drawer for three bills when you want to get your kids into school or apply for this or apply for that—it drives me to frustration,” he told reporters, highlighting the convenience digital IDs could offer.

The UK government has yet to partner with private tech firms for the programme. Opposition parties and some Labour MPs have raised concerns about rising costs, privacy risks, and potential government overreach. Public support has reportedly declined since Starmer’s announcement amid fears of data breaches and civil liberties violations.

Starmer also linked the Brit Card to immigration enforcement, stressing its role in tackling illegal working as part of broader migration agreements, including with France.

Right-wing parties have spotlighted gig economy platforms allegedly misused by undocumented workers. Despite controversies, Starmer expressed confidence that the UK could gain “a significant advantage” by learning from India’s successful digital ID model, aiming to build public trust while addressing employment and immigration challenges.

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