UK Inquiry Tracker

Digital ID

Public Accounts Committee Open Inquiry

Opened: 24 Apr 2026 Parliament page

While the UK uses a range of digital identity services, it does not currently operate a national ID card or single citizen identifier scheme. In September 2025, the Prime Minister announced a new digital ID scheme, with a target to launch by the end of the current Parliament in 2029. … Read more While the UK uses a range of digital identity services, it does not currently operate a national ID card or single citizen identifier scheme. In September 2025, the Prime Minister announced a new digital ID scheme, with a target to launch by the end of the current Parliament in 2029. In January 2026, it was further announced that digital ID would not be mandatory, but would become one of a number of ways in which people would be able to prove their right to work. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) scrutinised the GOV.UK Verify, the flagship digital programme for government, in 2019 . Its report found that the system was failing its users, having missed all of its original performance targets. Members of the public using the system were hampered by a catalogue of problems, including difficulty signing up and accessing multiple government services. The Home Affairs Committee launched its own inquiry into harnessing the potential of new forms of digital ID in June 2025. The National Audit Office (NAO) will be publishing the findings of its own report offering insights into digital identification and assessing the opportunities of the scheme. Proceeding from the NAO’s work, the PAC will take evidence from witnesses including senior government officials, user groups and campaigners on topics including the purpose and necessity of digital ID in the UK, successes and challenges in previous approaches, and what lessons can be learned from other countries. The Committee will be seeking written evidence submissions in due course. Please look at the requirements for written evidence submissions and note that the Committee cannot accept material as evidence that is published elsewhere. Please note that the Committee’s inquiry cannot assist with individual cases. If you need help with an individual problem you are having, you may wish to read the information on Parliament’s website about who you can contact with different issues Show less