As a dedicated leader takes on duties across two departments, government reveals that the controversial virtual ID will not be mandated, with citizens still able to use passports and visas

The government has reversed plans for a state-issued digital identity to be mandatory for employment checks.

Prime minister Keir Starmer announced in September that, by 2029, anyone undergoing a Home Office Right to Work check would require a new government digital ID in order to do so. It is a legal requirement for all employees to complete these checks before starting a new job.

But just four months on from this announcement – and having been subject to a great deal of criticism in the meantime – the government has now confirmed that, while it intends to digitise the checking process, employees will still be able to complete a Right to Work procedure using existing official documents, such as a passport or visa.

The new digital ID will be available on a voluntary basis – and will form part of a growing range of electronic documents offered by the state. This includes the recently launched Digital Veteran Card, as well as a planned virtual driving licence and digital versions of the likes of National Insurance cards, marriage and birth certificates, Disclosure and Barring Service verification, lasting power of attorney confirmation, and proof of receipt of state benefits such as Universal Credit, Disability Living Allowance, and Personal Independence Payment.

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Following the reversal of plans for mandatory digital ID usage in employment checks, a government spokesperson said: “We are committed to mandatory digital right to work checks. Currently right to work checks include a hodge podge of paper-based systems with no record of checks ever taking place. This is open to fraud and abuse. We have always been clear that details on the digital ID scheme will be set out following a full public consultation which will launch shortly. Digital ID will make everyday life easier for people, ensuring public services are more personal, joined-up, and effective, while also remaining inclusive.”

The consultation is intended to inform details of the design and delivery of the new tech system, as well as the costs of doing so – an issue which has been the subject of considerable controversy and debate.

Government’s independent fiscal watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, has claimed that £1.8bn of public money over the next three years will be required, and claimed that the necessary funding does not currently exist anywhere on Whitehall’s current budgets and balance sheets. However, ministers have said that government “does not recognise” the numbers provided by the OBR and repeatedly insisted that, whatever amount is required, it will be met from existing departmental budgets set at the spending review earlier this year.

As it approaches the launch of the consultation process, government has also recently confirmed a dedicated minister for digital ID – Josh Simons. Formerly based solely in the Cabinet Office, which took over responsibility for overall delivery of digital identity in October, Simons will now split his time between the central department and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which is building the technology.

According to the minister’s updated GOV.UK profile, his sole focus will now be digital identity.

“[Simons] is responsible for supporting and providing assurance to the chief secretary to the prime minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the Cabinet Office and the secretary of state for DSIT on the design and cross-government delivery of the digital ID programme,” the profile adds. “He will work closely with the minister for digital government and data [Ian Murray], who retains ownership of related areas including data policy and other government digital products.”