techUK Reaction: UK Government Announces Mandatory Digital ID Scheme

This digital ID will become mandatory for Right to Work (R2W) checks by the end of this Parliament, while citizens will not be required to carry it or present it routinely. The ID will reside within individuals’ GOV.UK wallets on their phones, alongside the upcoming Digital Driving License. You can find a government explainer here.

Why the Government is introducing Digital ID

The government frames the digital ID scheme as part of its broader Plan for Change aimed at cracking down on illegal working and controlling migration. By making Right to Work checks mandatory through digital ID, the government hopes to reduce illegal employment. Beyond immigration control, the scheme is intended to simplify access to public services, reduce identity fraud, and provide businesses with a more secure and efficient method to verify workers’ eligibility.

How will this be implemented?

The rollout will begin with a public consultation later this year, designed to gather wide-ranging views on service delivery. The government has emphasised inclusion, ensuring that vulnerable populations- such as the elderly and those without smartphones- can access the system.

An outreach programme will also provide face-to-face support to those needing assistance. The digital ID will include personal details such as name, date of birth, nationality or residency status, and a photo for biometric verification, with consideration being given to whether additional information like addresses should be included. The Government claims state-of-the-art encryption and security measures will be used to protect personal data.

It should be noted that cutting-edge Digital ID solutions are already widely integrated across the economy, allowing people and businesses to authenticate identity securely. The Digital ID private sector market in the UK currently generates £2bn annually, whilst employing over 10,000 people. R2W checks are already a key application for this market, enabled under the Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework. There has been no indication that the trust framework will not be supported to work alongside the mandatory ID, however government will need to urgently provide clarity to citizens and this sector that are already delivering real benefits for the UK economy.

Next Steps

The public consultation will inform the technical standards, implementation, and further details of the digital ID.

techUK stands ready and able to engage with government constructively on how we ensure the new scheme delivers on its promises of security, accessibility, and public trust, alongside the private sector.

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