Sir Keir Starmer has launched a double-barrelled attack as he fights to save his plan to introduce digital identity cards in the face of intense public concern. The Prime Minister declared the new technology is needed to tackle illegal immigration and claimed it will also improve the quality of life for ordinary Britons.

The scene is set for a defining battle of his premiership as he works to make the IDS mandatory for right to work checks before the next election. Sir Keir sees Digital IDs as a key tool to stop small boat crossings but there are strong fears the tech could be used for surveillance.

The Prime Minister, speaking as his trade mission to Mumbai drew to a close, he said: “We have made a commitment to stop people arriving illegally in the United Kingdom. One of the issues is the ability people have to work illegally in our economy.

“We have to do something about. We can’t shirk that… I think the vast majority – if not everyone in the UK – wants it gripped and we need to therefore take measures necessary to grip it.”

In a second line of attack, he said Digital IDs would bring “great benefits” for ordinary people.

He said in India there was great enthusiasm for Digital IDs “not least because it means that you can access your own money, make payments, so much more easily”.

Signalling that supporters of the IDs will have to take on their critics in a national debate, he said: “I think now we need to go out and make that case of the huge benefits that this will bring.”

His claim that Digital IDs are needed to deter illegal migrants drew a scathing response from Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp.

He told the Express: “This won’t stop illegal immigrants. It’s another gimmick from Labour that won’t work…

“This year so far has been the worst in history for illegal immigrants crossing the channel and this idea will change nothing. The Conservative plan is to leave the European Convention on Human Rights which will enable us to deport every illegal immigrant within a week of arriving – then the crossings will soon stop.”

Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, also warned against the new form of ID.

He warned: “We cannot live in a society where law-abiding citizens have their freedoms restricted for the failures of their Government. The implementation of Digital ID will have no effect on illegal working, will cost the taxpayer millions, and will greatly encroach on our personal lives and freedoms.

“This is a prime minister unfit to govern.”

More than 2.8million people have now signed a petition urging the Government not to introduce Digital IDs.

While in India, Sir Keir met Nandan Nilekani, a pioneer of the country’s biometric ID system.

Getting legislation for the IDs onto the statute is one of a series of challenges ahead of the Prime Minister, but he will hope the trade deal agreed with India will deliver clear economic results.

Sir Keir boasted that the agreement is “the most ambitious trade deal India has ever done”.

He said: “The opportunity is clear. Just look at the sheer scale of India, the world’s largest democracy on track to become the third-largest economy by 2028. An economic superpower in the making. And we the UK are perfectly placed to be partners on that journey.”

He described the deal as a “launchpad to boost British leadership in everything from tech, to life sciences, to renewable energy and much more beyond that”.

The PM said the trade mission had delivered “real results for the British people, securing new investments into the UK worth £1.3billion and creating 10,600 jobs.”

Sir Keir met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Raj Bhavan, the original residence of the Governor of Maharashtra. He said he raised the issue of India buying oil from Russia.

While Britain has pushed for sanctions against Russia since the invasion or Ukraine, Mr Modi this week reportedly wished Vladimir Putin a happy 73rd birthday and said he looked forward to his upcoming visit to India.

The UK Government is intent on building a strong partnership with the rising economic power.

When Sir Keir and Mr Modi dined together a set of traditional musicians performed versions of songs including Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire and Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles.