Sir Keir Starmer has declared that Britons should embrace voluntary ID cards on his two-day visit to Mumbai to discuss India's own controversial scheme.
The Aadhar scheme - which holds the names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, retinal and finger-print scans of more than a billion people - could be a worrying sign of what could be in store for the UK.
A number of hidden dangers, outlined by openDemocracy, include mass surveillance; a denial of services to the elderly, the impoverished and the infirm; compromised safety and security, along with a fundamentally altered relationship between citizen and state.
Sir Keir has said that digital IDs would be "very important" for employment - however, he added that people could gain a "significant advantage" by using the card beyond work.
Sir Keir's comments came in the early hours of the second day of his trade visit to Mumbai to hold meetings on trade, business, digital ID and more.
Opinion polls have shown support for the cards have plummeted after the Prime Minister announced they would be mandatory to work in the UK by 2029.
It was Sir Keir's flagship announcement the day before Labour's conference in Liverpool last month.
While there has been fierce disapproval of his move, the Prime Minister is adamant it would meet his party's manifesto to tackle illegal migration.
“We need to address the fact that too many people can come to this country and work illegally,” he said.
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
Foreign Secretary heading to Paris for peace talks
Yvette Cooper has declared that Britain "stands ready to play our part" in Middle East peace developments.
The Foreign Secretary said she would be taking part in discussions with European leaders on how to take the plan forward.
The meeting in Paris will be hosted by President Macron, according to Sky News.
"Later today I will be travelling from here with the German Foreign Minister, my colleague, to Paris for the discussions later today about how all nations can support the immense work that has been done thus far on President Trumps peace initiative, but also how we make sure that we take it forward," she said.
Matt Vickers defends Kemi Badenoch's promise to abolish stamp duty
Matt Vickers has defended his party's promise to abolish stamp duty, saying it was "not true" that it would only benefit the wealthy.
He added that "85 per cent of transactions ... of stamp duty actually are under £500,000".
"In reality (stamp duty) affects the housing supply," he said.
"It affects families."
Mr Vickers said it was a "bold move" and that it would make a "huge difference to the economy".
Prime Minister discussed need for 'lasting peace' in Ukraine with Narendra Modi
Sir Keir Starmer also turned his attention to other conflicts, saying he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "discussed the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine".
"(Also) the need for stability and security in the Indo-Pacific, and the need to cooperate in critical areas like climate and energy, including breaking away from dependence on fossil fuel," he added.
Sir Keir celebrated the trade deal between the UK and India.
He said it would have economic benefits for both nations.
Keir Starmer confirms 'more British universities' will be established in India
Sir Keir Starmer during a press conference in Mumbai
|GB NEWS
The Prime Minister has announced that "more British universities will be setting up campuses right here in India".
"(It makes) Britain India's leading international provider of higher education and delivering on our vision 2035 that we set out in July," he said.
Sir Keir said it was the "jewel in the crown of this relationship".
"Of course our cooperation goes much wider too," he said.
Prime Minister throws support behind Gaza ceasefire deal
Sir Keir Starmer has thrown his support behind a Gaza ceasefire, saying "I strong welcome the news that a deal has been reached".
"On the first stage of the peace plan in Gaza, this is a moment of profound relief," he said.
"That will be felt around the world.
"Particularly for the hostages, their families and for the civilian population of Gaza who have all endured unimaginable suffering for the last two years."
Sir Keir thanked countries who had helped negotiations, including Egpyt, Qatar, Turkey, the US "and many others".
The comment comes during the Prime Minister's two-day visit to Mumbai.
Matt Vickers welcomes 'fantastic news' of Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan
Matt Vickers welcomed news of a Gaza ceasefire
|GB NEWS
The Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party has welcomed Donald Trump's peace plan, saying it was "fantastic news".
"We all want to see an end to that humanitarian crisis, we all want to see those hostages brought home," Matt Vickers told GB News.
He said while everyone will be watching to see what comes of the deal, "it sounds like very, very, very good news".
Mr Vickers said that planned protests would be "very sad to see that happen".
"It should be something that everyone should get behind," he said.
RECAP: Keir Starmer wants to expand Digital ID scheme into other areas outside of work as PM thinks Britain could 'gain significant advantage'
Sir Keir Starmer believes that Britain could "gain a significant advantage" by expanding the government’s recently announced Digital ID from just covering right to work to other areas.
And he told journalists en route to Mumbai for a two-day trade summit, that “there is a case to be made about the benefits of voluntary ID into other areas”.
The announcement of compulsory Digital ID to be able to work legally, was said to be to help reduce small boat crossings, which have surged under the Labour Government.
Thirty five thousand people have crossed the channel illegally so far this year.