Government launches consultation on national digital ID plans
The consultation, Making Public Services Work for You With Your Digital Identity, is open for public feedback until 5 May 2026.
Have your say on digital ID
The UK government is seeking views on a proposed national digital ID system for British and Irish citizens and foreign nationals with permission to live or work in the UK.
The consultation, Making Public Services Work for You With Your Digital Identity, sets out proposals for a digital ID that would make accessing public services faster, more secure, and more consistent with the digital experiences people already use in online banking, retail and other sectors. It could also support identity checks such as proof of right to work.
The government says the new system will be designed around three principles - useful, inclusive and trusted - and that having a digital ID will be voluntary, not mandatory.
The consultation invites feedback on topics including:
- how the digital ID would be issued and verified
- how personal data would be stored and shared
- who should be eligible, including the minimum age for eligibility
- how to ensure the service is accessible to everyone
- what safeguards will protect users' data and privacy
Businesses, trade bodies, technologists, and public and private sector organisations are encouraged to share their views.
The consultation closes at 12:30pm on 5 May 2026.
A follow-up People's Panel on Digital ID will then bring together a representative sample of citizens to discuss the proposals in detail before final decisions are made.
Read the consultation and have your say.
First published 19 March 2026