Overview

• Ministers said a national digital identity will be introduced within this Parliament, with employers required to verify it for right-to-work checks by 2029.
• The government response outlined that the ID will be free, available from age 16, not compulsory to obtain, and outside policing powers such as stop and search.
• Officials promised a public consultation in the coming weeks and legislation to underpin the system, building on GOV.UK One Login and a digital wallet.
• Opposition has surged, with cross‑party critics citing privacy, hacking and exclusion risks; polling reported by More in Common shows 45% oppose and 31% support.
• Reporting indicates HMRC is exploring using digital ID data to pre‑fill tax returns, with think‑tank estimates of up to £600 million in extra revenue, though a government source said those tax plans predate the PM’s announcement.