Earlier quoted context omitted.
> What it will combat is illegal immigrants ability to work Utter rubbish. Do you seriously think those already paying cash-in-hand for delivery drivers, window cleaners, fruit pickers etc will give a toss about someone's lack of an ID card?
No but it makes prosecution easier..right now you can provide a copy of a document, which can be digitally altered, but the employer can say 'i accepted it in good faith' and they have done their due diligence. Having scanned a digital ID and for example that does not match the worker you have employed makes it harder to claim you did due diligence
"Ask to see the applicant’s original documents. You can no longer accept biometric residence cards or permits. Ask the applicant for a share code instead." [1]
The share code makes it impossible to forge.
If you are an employer and only ask for copies of documents you are liable for a 40k+ fine if you end up hiring an illegal migrant.