Government pushes ahead with revamped Digital ID

The government is pushing ahead with plans for digital ID, which it says will make public services easier to use on mobile phones.

The government had originally planned to make digital ID compulsory for everyone starting a new job - to prove their right to work in the UK.

When the scheme was announced by Sir Keir Starmer in September last year, it was touted as a way to crack down on illegal working in the UK.

But now the government has switched to promoting the potential benefits of digital ID, which will be in held in a wallet on smartphones, to consumers.

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 warned that public services need to "catch up" with those offered by the private sector, such as online banking.

Digital ID will still be available to use as proof of identity for digital right to work checks, which will be compulsory by the end of the current Parliament in 2029.

But employers and employees will also be able to do a digital check of other documents such as a passport or eVisa if they prefer, Jones told MPs.

The minister said the consultation exercise would be more extensive than normal for a new policy, with a "people's panel", bringing together 100 individuals from across the country with different backgrounds.

The consultation exercise will also look at how to make sure all citizens are included, amid concerns it will make life more difficult for people without access to computers or smartphones.

Jones told MPs the government would launch a "digital inclusion drive" to make sure those who did not want to use the scheme are not left out.

Elizabeth Anderson, chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance charity, 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."

She said it was "vital" to ensure digital ID "does not become a de facto requirement for accessing employment, financial services, age verification, or other essential services".

The government has yet to give details of how much the digital ID scheme will cost.

It will be based on two government-built systems - Gov.uk One Login and Gov.uk Wallet.

One Login, is a single account for accessing public services online, which the government says more than 12 million people have already signed up to.

Gov.UK Wallet has not yet been launched but it could eventually allow citizens to store their digital ID - including name, date of birth, nationality and residence status, and a photo - on their smartphones.

Users will need a Gov.UK One Login to access the wallet.