As government makes its move into digital credentials, PublicTechnology asked whether the platform could help demonstrate the benefits of the technology that the administration has been keen to talk up

The example set by the new virtual Veteran Card can serve as a “really good case study” of the benefits of digital identity and could also help address people’s “legitimate concerns” surrounding the technology, a minister has told PublicTechnology.

The new electronic version of the ID document for former military personnel was launched today. At a briefing previewing the launch of its first major move into digital ID, PublicTechnology asked digital government minister Ian Murray whether the new offering for veterans is an opportunity to showcase the benefits of the technology that government has been keen to espouse – in the face of some concerted criticism.

“Using a closed group like the 300,000 veterans is a really good case study to show that it does work, and it will be very beneficial,” he said. “It shows the technology works, and it shows that we can prove [that] and dispense with some of those – legitimate – concerns around privacy and security.

He added: “But the launch of this card is about making the lives of veterans easier, [and helping] to access government services. [It is about] the benefits of the card, rather than being about demonstrating the much wider issues that you talk about in terms of digital ID.”

The digital credential provides veterans with a card they can store on their smartphone and present in order to prove their service record. Since first being made available in early 2019, a total of 300,000 physical Veteran Cards have been issued – the majority of which have been provided via the voluntary application process that launched last year for those who left service before the cards were introduced.

The introduction of the digital option for these cardholders – as well as for future applicants, and new service leavers that are automatically issued with a physical card – comes at a time when government is facing widespread rebuke for its digital identity plans.

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Last month prime minister Keir Starmer announced that, by the end of this decade, the use of a mandatory state-issued digital identity will be required for all employment checks. These proposals have been roundly opposed by a comprehensive range of Labour’s political opponents, as well as by human rights and privacy advocacy groups.

Building on the digital Veteran Card – which was developed by the Government Digital Service, working alongside the Ministry of Defence – over the next few years government intends to significantly expand the range of formal identity and credentials available in electronic form beginning with digital driving licence set to begin a pilot process this year.

National Insurance cards will also be digitised in due course, as will marriage and birth certificates, and status evidence of the completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service check.  Also offered electronically will be documents confirming lasting power of attorney, and proof of receipt of state benefits such as Universal Credit, Disability Living Allowance, and Personal Independence Payment.

Government has also indicated that it intends, at some point, to offer a digital version of the passport – although this is not likely to be useable for international travel in the near-term.