Government Advances Digital ID Initiative
The government is advancing its plans for a digital ID system, which it asserts will simplify the use of public services via mobile phones.
Cabinet Office minister Darren Jones is set to unveil a prototype of what he described as "government by app" while launching an eight-week consultation to gather public input on the technology's implementation.
Initially, the government intended to make digital ID mandatory for all individuals starting new employment to verify their right to work in the UK.
However, this approach was reversed following polling data indicating growing public opposition to digital ID, particularly the compulsory aspect, with notable resistance among Reform UK supporters.
The scheme, first announced by Sir Keir Starmer in September 2022, was originally promoted as a measure to combat illegal working in the UK.
Currently, the government is emphasizing the consumer benefits of digital ID, which will be stored in a digital wallet on smartphones.
Jones said: "People too often dread their interactions with public services. Endless telephone calls, complicated printed forms and having to tell your story multiple times to different parts of government.
"I want to change that and make public services work for you. The new digital ID will make that possible, allowing you to log on and prove who you are to access public services more quickly, easily and securely."
He cautioned that public services must "catch up" with private sector offerings such as online banking.
Digital ID Usage and Right to Work Checks
Digital ID will remain an option for verifying identity in digital right to work checks, which are set to become compulsory by the end of the current Parliament in 2029.
Employers and employees will also have the option to digitally verify other documents, including passports or eVisas, if preferred, Jones informed MPs.
Consultation and Public Inclusion Efforts
The minister indicated that the consultation will be more comprehensive than usual for new policies, featuring a "people's panel" of 100 individuals from diverse backgrounds across the country.
This panel will examine appropriate age thresholds for obtaining a Digital ID, the types of information to be included, and the government services that should be accessible via the ID.
The consultation will also address concerns about ensuring inclusivity, particularly for individuals lacking access to computers or smartphones.
Jones assured MPs that the government plans to initiate a "digital inclusion drive" to prevent exclusion of those unwilling or unable to use the digital ID system.
Concerns from Digital Poverty Advocates
Elizabeth Anderson, chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance charity, expressed caution regarding the potential for voluntary digital ID systems to become effectively mandatory.
She said: "International experience shows that so-called voluntary digital ID systems can quickly become essential in practice, as both public and private services begin to rely on them.
When this happens, offline alternatives can become slow, complex, or difficult to access, effectively creating barriers for people who cannot engage digitally.
This is a real concern in the UK, where around 19 million adults remain digitally excluded."
Anderson emphasized the importance of ensuring that digital ID "does not become a de facto requirement for accessing employment, financial services, age verification, or other essential services."
Technical Infrastructure and Costs
The government has not yet disclosed the financial cost of implementing the digital ID scheme.
The system will be based on two government-developed platforms: Gov.uk One Login and Gov.uk Wallet.
One Login is a single account for accessing public services online, with over 12 million users registered to date.
Gov.uk Wallet, which has not yet launched, is expected to allow users to store their digital ID—including name, date of birth, nationality, residence status, and a photo—on their smartphones.
Access to the wallet will require a Gov.uk One Login account.
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