Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans for a new national digital ID, promising to make everyday tasks simpler, cut bureaucracy, and modernise how people access essential services across the UK.
Speaking during a visit to a Barclays Bank branch on Thursday, Mr Starmer said the new digital identification system will give every British citizen and legal resident a secure, free digital ID that can be used to open a bank account, apply for a job, or rent a home — without the need to dig out paper documents or rely on passports and driving licences.
The Prime Minister said the initiative would “bring Britain into the modern age” by putting “power back in people’s hands” and helping to level the playing field for those who currently lack traditional forms of identification.
“Digitisation has already transformed how we shop, travel and bank — but there’s so much more we can do to make people’s lives easier, simpler and more secure,” Mr Starmer said.
“The digital ID is about cutting the faff out of rummaging through drawers for documents and ending the pointless bureaucracy we’ve accepted for too long.”
Cutting red tape and boosting inclusion
Under the plans, the new digital ID will serve as a single, government-backed way to prove identity online and in person. It is expected to replace the need for multiple physical documents, speeding up processes such as job applications, tenancy agreements, and access to childcare or financial services.
Officials said it will also help crack down on illegal working by making Right to Work checks faster and more reliable, and help tackle identity fraud by storing personal details securely on a phone rather than in paper form.
Examples shared by the government include enabling people to:
- Prove their identity instantly when opening a bank account or applying for a mortgage.
- Confirm their right to rent a property without paperwork delays.
- Use a single digital credential for everyday services.
The government said the system will be free and available to all British citizens and legal residents, ensuring no one is excluded from essential services because they lack a passport or driving licence.
Public consultation and security measures
A public consultation will be launched later this year to ensure the scheme is secure, trusted, and inclusive. Ministers said the technology will comply with the UK’s strict data protection standards, with users able to control what information is shared and when.
The digital ID forms part of a wider effort to modernise public services, which includes a new Digital Inclusion Action Plan and a digital version of the Veteran Card.
Mr Starmer said the move would help “cut red tape, save time, and strengthen trust between citizens and government.”
“This can be a boarding pass to getting on in life,” he said. “Countries across the world are reaping the benefits of digital IDs — the British public should be able to as well.”
