THE proposed ID card scheme will not be a “silver bullet” to end illegal migration and won’t be a “BritCard,” according to data minster Ian Murray.

PM Sir Keir Starmer’s ratings plummeted to record lows last month after he announced the plans aimed explicitly at challenging migrants’ right to work.

But speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, but Mr Murray argued: “We’ve been very clear this is not a silver bullet but it does have two major positives in terms of having a mandatory right to work check.

“It means it’s easier for businesses. It creates that level playing field and fairness for businesses that always do the right thing but are undercut by those businesses that don’t.”

Responding to SNP criticism that the ID scheme was an attempt “to force every Scot to declare ourselves British,” the recently sacked Scotland secretary insisted there was a “host of ways nationality could be defined.”

He added: “It is not a BritCard, it will never be called a BritCard and it never has intended to be called a BritCard.”

The Scottish government was contacted for comment.