Drop in Session: Digital ID guidance for Money Laundering Regulations
2pm – 3pm29 September 2025
Online
Join our drop-in session to shape techUK’s understanding of key requirements from HMT and DSIT, where members will set out the priorities that guidance on embedding Digital ID into the MLRs must address.
Objectives:
Members to help shape techUK recommendations on how Digital ID can be embedded within MLR
Establish key questions that DSIT and HMT must address
Context
Last year, HM Treasury committed to reviewing and updating the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) as part of a broader initiative to combat money laundering, outlined in the Economic Crime Plan 2023–26.
Building on the Financial Services Growth & Competitiveness Strategy published July 15, HMT has set out several updates aimed at tightening loopholes, clarifying obligations, and strengthening customer due diligence in relation to higher-risk activities.
Importantly, as part of this package, the Treasury also confirmed its intention to work with DSIT to publish joint guidance on the use of digital ID for identity verification under the MLRs- a timely and positive step.
Digital ID: A Smarter, Safer Approach to AML
As techUK highlighted in its June 2024 consultation response, digital identity remains a missing link in the UK’s fight against financial crime. Although regulations already allow Digital ID solutions to be used for customer due diligence, adoption has been slow, held back by ingrained practices, outdated systems, and lingering doubts about the legitimacy of digital identity checks. The direction of travel is positive, but success will depend on how it is delivered.
What comes next?
Digital ID is already permitted under the MLRs, but seamless integration with ID providers is essential to unlock the full potential of the Trust Framework. Aligning HMT’s MLR standards with DSIT’s Trust Framework will be complex, which is why techUK is hosting a one-hour drop-in session to hear directly from members on what guidance must cover to be practical and impactful.
Insights from this meeting will shape techUK’s position towards HMT and DSIT, setting out industry priorities, calling for timely delivery with open engagement, and highlighting outstanding questions that need addressing.
techUK is thrilled to announce our flagship 2025 Digital ID Summit, where we'll be launching our latest Digital Identity policy report! Join policymakers, industry innovators, and thought leaders across the digital identity and verification ecosystem as they shape the future of the sector- while connecting with the key stakeholders driving its growth and evolution at our annual Digital ID Summit. Register now!
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.
Digital ID campaign week 2025! 🔐
Recap on key insights shared during Digital ID Campaign Week.
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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.