A new inquiry has been launched by the The Home Affairs Committee examining the opportunities and challenges posed by government-issued digital identification. With the rise of digital technologies and government plans for a GOV.UK wallet, encasing government documents and a new digital driver’s licence, the inquiry will explore how new forms of digital ID could be used to significantly streamline public services, support immigration enforcement, and reduce crime, as well as the potential risks to privacy and data security.
Digital ID could include digital versions of official documents such as passports, driving licences, and National Insurance numbers, as well as biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition. The government’s upcoming digital driver’s licence could be used for age verification in shops and pubs, while eVisas are already in use for verifying immigration status.
Although there is no current plan for a national digital ID system, interest is growing across public and private sectors. Proponents argue that digital ID could streamline access to services like the NHS and benefits, and reduce fraud. However, critics caution against the risk of misuse of personal data and question whether the government can deliver a secure and cost-effective system.
Committee Chair Dame Karen Bradley said: “Introducing digital ID could help the Home Office achieve its ambitions to reduce crime and improve control over the immigration system. But there are also fears that ID schemes could infringe on people’s privacy or be costly to implement effectively. We want to find the best evidence for how digital ID could be used by the Home Office to implement its priorities.”
Read the key questions the inquiry will address here.
The Committee is accepting written submissions until Thursday 21 August 2025. Evidence is sought from stakeholders across civil society, government, technology, and privacy advocacy.
