Government U-Turn on Mandatory Digital ID for Right-to-Work Checks
The government has stepped back from plans to make workers register for a digital ID programme to prove their right to work in the UK. While right-to-work checks will still move to a digital format by 2029, registration for a digital ID will now be optional rather than compulsory.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that mandatory digital right-to-work checks are still going ahead as part of efforts to tackle illegal working, but clarified that a digital ID will be just one option workers can use to prove their eligibility to work.
The shift follows significant public opposition, with nearly three million people signing a parliamentary petition against the introduction of compulsory digital IDs.
What this means in practice
Details on exactly how the digital ID system will operate haven't been released yet, though it's expected to build on the existing Gov.uk One Login and the forthcoming Gov.uk Wallet.
For now, employers can already use government-certified digital verification services to carry out passport checks for British and Irish citizens. For non-British or Irish citizens whose immigration status is held electronically, the Home Office provides an online verification service.
The move to digital right-to-work checks is still coming, but the mandatory element around digital IDs has been removed. For employers, this means preparing for digital verification processes without requiring employees to sign up for a centralised digital ID system.
What employers should be thinking about
If you employ staff and conduct right-to-work checks as part of your recruitment or compliance processes, it's worth keeping an eye on how the digital verification landscape develops over the next few years. The shift to digital checks is designed to streamline processes and reduce illegal working, but implementation will need to be handled carefully to avoid unnecessary administrative burden.
As more guidance becomes available, we'll continue to share updates that are relevant to businesses in South Wales. If you have questions about how employment compliance or payroll processes might be affected, we're here to help.