The UK Government is asking the public for views on the proposals
A fresh UK Government consultation on establishing a national digital identity system could transform how Brits access benefits, tax services and other state support going forward.
The UK Government is seeking public feedback on proposals that would enable people to verify their identity online using a single digital ID instead of repeatedly confirming their details for different services. Ministers state the objective is to streamline how people engage with the state and make public services more accessible online.
Under the proposals, a secure digital identity could be used to validate personal details when accessing services provided by departments including the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ).
This could encompass accessing tax accounts, managing benefit claims or confirming eligibility for government support. The consultation suggests a digital identity system could permit people to verify their identity once and then reuse it across multiple government services, reports the Daily Record.
Advocates argue this could reduce the need for repeated identity checks, paperwork and face-to-face appointments when dealing with different government departments. However, nearly three million people signed an online petition calling on the UK Government not to introduce digital IDs. The petition was debated in Parliament on December 8, 2025.
Identity verification is currently one of the biggest obstacles people face when applying for benefits or accessing online services. Claimants are frequently required to upload documents, answer security questions or attend verification appointments before their applications can be processed.
A digital ID system could simplify those checks by enabling people to securely confirm their identity through a government-approved digital account. The UK Government states the objective is to make interacting with public services as straightforward as using online banking.
Officials say the system would be voluntary and designed to give people greater control over how their personal data is used. The consultation also highlights how digital identity could help reduce fraud and impersonation scams targeting government services.
Fraud involving stolen identities has become a growing concern for authorities, particularly in areas such as benefit claims and tax refunds. By using secure digital verification, ministers believe it may become more difficult for criminals to impersonate others or access accounts fraudulently.
However, digital identity proposals have historically proved controversial in the UK, with concerns raised about privacy, data protection and the potential creation of a national identity system. Previous attempts to introduce national ID cards were abandoned following political opposition and concerns about government databases.
The consultation will ask members of the public, technology experts and civil society groups how a new digital identity system should work and what safeguards should be included. If implemented, the system could potentially be utilised across a broad spectrum of government services, enabling people to handle everything from tax matters to benefit applications via a single verified identity.
Government officials assert that the consultation will influence the development of the system prior to any consideration of legislation or broader implementation. The public are invited to share their opinions on the proposals before the consultation period ends on May 5, 2026.
The ‘Making public services work for you with your digital identity’ consultation can be viewed on GOV.UK.
