From property to finance: why the UK is ready for digital ID
*Please note that these thought leadership pieces represent the views of the contributing companies and do not necessarily reflect techUK’s own position.
Adoption isn’t a question of if but when: Digital identity (Digital ID) is on the brink of transforming how we buy, rent, bank, and even switch our energy suppliers. With government departments starting to embed it into processes, and industries searching for ways to improve both security and efficiency, Digital ID is set to become a cornerstone of everyday transactions.
The recent news that Digital ID could soon become a reality for UK citizens raises important questions: Are people ready to adopt this new form of identification? Where might adoption take hold first? And which sectors offer the biggest opportunities for Digital ID to create meaningful impact?
What is Digital ID and why does it matter
Firstly, let’s break down what we mean by a ‘Digital ID’ in this context:
“A digital identity is a digital representation of your identity information, like your name and age. At your request, it can also contain other information about you, like your address, or biometric information, like a fingerprint or face scan.” (GOV.UK, 2024)
One form of Digital ID that many clients and stakeholders already encounter day to day is the eSignature. Here, Digital ID plays a crucial role in confirming that the person signing a document is genuinely who they say they are. When layered into digital document workflows, it strengthens trust in agreements and helps organisations meet strict compliance and regulatory standards. In sectors such as financial services, legal, and utilities, these watertight systems create smoother, faster customer experiences, reduce fraud, and keep processes fully digital and transparent.
Right now, sectors are actively pushing to digitalise in response to shifting attitudes toward adoption and its clear benefits. We’re at a unique point where the technology behind Digital ID is finally catching up with people’s appetite for easier, smarter ways to replace wet signatures and mountains of paperwork.
From my perspective, many sectors are already seamlessly entering this new way of paperless identification, which may seem extremely common these days, but many other areas of business still have the potential to go even further.
What could a Digital ID look like in practice?
Rather than piles of paperwork and repeated form-filling, imagine a secure app on your phone, unlocked only by Face ID or a fingerprint, holding all your verified credentials in one place: passport, driving licence, proof of address, even professional licences. With a few taps, individuals and businesses could securely share exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed.
Of course, this is just one vision of how Digital ID might be built, not a concrete blueprint. But by imagining this concept, we can start to see the potential: a practical tool that could save time, reduce fraud, and make everyday processes seamless. The exact form it takes will depend on the choices made by policymakers, regulators, and industry, but the opportunity is clear and, if implemented, will become incredibly advantageous for both customers and businesses.
Emerging opportunities across UK sectors
Real Estate Agencies
Renting or buying property depends on rigorous ID checks, from tenant referencing to property purchases. Today, the reliance on ID5 forms and paper-based documents often requiring in-person solicitor visits and original paperwork, makes transactions slow, costly, and stressful. With digital self-identification, individuals could verify themselves remotely and securely. This would not only remove a major bottleneck in property transactions, but also reduce fraud risks and errors, while eliminating the need for handling sensitive documents manually.
Utility Providers
Setting up new accounts or switching suppliers often creates friction, with customers asked to submit multiple proofs of address and identity. A secure Digital ID could condense this into a single, trusted credential, instantly confirming both identity and residency. For consumers, it means greater control and a smoother onboarding experience. For providers, it reduces verification costs, speeds up processes, and cuts down on errors. In practice, switching energy suppliers could become as quick and seamless as tapping to log in with a digital wallet.
Here, a Digital ID can transform the whole process by making it instant and customer-driven. Instead of users submitting documents and waiting days for manual verification, a verified digital identity could provide immediate assurance of compliance. What is more, consumer demand for faster onboarding is now pushing adoption forward. Whether opening a bank account or applying for a loan, a Digital ID could dramatically cut time and friction.
Digital ID and accessibility
Digital ID also has the potential to improve accessibility for groups often underserved by current processes. Renters, young people, or those with limited credit histories could find it far easier to prove who they are and access essential services. In education, Digital ID could simplify enrollment, instantly verifying eligibility for funding or support.
When combined with secure eSignature technology, Digital ID's trustworthiness becomes even stronger. From approving finance applications to renting property or switching energy suppliers, the pairing of Digital ID and eSignatures ensures both authentication and authorisation in a single step. Together, they significantly reduce fraud, speed up compliance heavy processes, and create a more seamless experience for everyone involved.
Digital ID in the near future
Looking ahead, biometrics will likely play a central role in the widespread use of Digital ID. I would like to imagine that in the next five years, the UK will be fully digitally enabled, where a simple fingerprint scan, facial recognition, or even a voiceprint replaces the need for a physical signature. Authorising a mortgage with your thumbprint or confirming your identity to HMRC with a secure facial scan may feel futuristic now, but could be standard practice within five years.
The important thing is that the technology and appetite for adoption are already here. Many of us already unlock phones or approve payments with our fingerprints or faces, so it feels like a natural extension. What’s missing is complete confidence in how Digital IDs will be governed. Questions around data storage, privacy, and consent remain front of mind, and the government will need to provide watertight frameworks, safeguards, and transparent oversight before widespread adoption can follow.
Ultimately, the technology is ready, and so are consumers. But trust remains the biggest barrier. People want clarity on how a Digital ID is created, stored, accessed, and shared. Moving from physical to digital identity can only work if people feel reassured that their information is protected.
Well-designed frameworks and inclusive design can go a long way in closing that trust gap. If achieved, Digital ID could move from an emerging concept to everyday reality very quickly. The foundations are already in place, and what is needed now is the reassurance that identity in the digital era will be as secure, reliable, and respected as its physical counterpart.
Author
Ellie Yates
Head of Customer Success at Signable
Digital Identity programme activities
Digital identities will provide a gateway for citizens and SMEs into the digital economy. techUK members demonstrate the benefits of digital identity to emerging markets, raise their profile as thought leaders, influence policy outcomes, and strengthen their relationships with potential clients and decision-makers. Visit the programme page here.
New techUK Digital ID Report
Following the UK Government’s announcement on the introduction of mandatory digital ID on 26 September, techUK has published a new report outlining a clear roadmap to support the successful and trusted rollout of digital ID across the country.
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Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK
Laura Foster
Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
Laura advocates for better emerging technology policy in the UK, including quantum, future of compute technologies, semiconductors, digital ID and more. Working alongside techUK members and UK Government she champions long-term, cohesive, and sustainable investment that will ensure the UK can commercialise future science and technology research. Laura leads a high-performing team at techUK, as well as publishing several reports on these topics herself, and being a regular speaker at events.
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer exploring adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University and is a Cambridge Policy Fellow. Outside of work she loves reading, writing and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
Elis joined techUK in December 2023 as a Programme Manager for Tech and Innovation, focusing on Semiconductors and Digital ID.
He previously worked at an advocacy group for tech startups, with a regional focus on Wales. This involved policy research on innovation, skills and access to finance.
Elis has a Degree in History, and a Masters in Politics and International Relations from the University of Winchester, with a focus on the digitalisation and gamification of armed conflicts.
