London – The Government has announced plans to roll out a new Digital ID scheme, a move that Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill says has the potential to make daily life easier while giving people greater control over their personal information.
The initiative aims to address the fragmented system of multiple forms of identification currently required for various entitlements, which officials argue is both bureaucratic and vulnerable to abuse. According to Gill, the new system could simplify everything from booking appointments or applying for benefits online, to proving age or opening a bank account.
“Too many people are still excluded from essential services because they cannot prove their identity,” Gill noted, citing figures that show one in ten British citizens lack photo ID.
Under the scheme, the new digital identity credential will be made available free of charge to all UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. It is expected to streamline access to both public and private sector services, while strengthening safeguards against fraud.
The rollout will begin with right-to-work checks. By the end of this Parliament, employers will be required to use the digital system to verify employees’ work eligibility. The Government argues that this will make the process simpler, fairer and more robust, while also cutting costs for employers. At present, remote checks of UK citizens can cost businesses more than £10 per case.
Ministers have pointed to international examples like Estonia, where a nationwide digital ID system has saved each citizen hours of bureaucracy every month and boosted the country’s GDP by up to 2%.
However, Gill stressed that the success of the programme will depend on ensuring the highest standards of data security and privacy. The scheme promises to employ encryption, authentication, and decentralised data storage to protect citizens’ information.
A public consultation will be launched in the coming weeks, with input sought from employers, trade unions, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to co-design the scheme.