Digital ID consultation
The UK Government's consultation on a national digital identity system carries significant implications for employers, particularly around right to work compliance. The government has identified tackling illegal working as an early priority for the digital ID system, with the intention of giving it a central role in the UK's right to work regime by the end of this Parliament. The consultation proposes legislating so that evidence must be checked digitally as part of a prescribed right to work check, meaning employers would need to move away from manual document verification and adopt fully digital processes. The consultation specifically asks what challenges businesses would face in carrying out fully digital right to work checks, making it essential for employers to engage now and flag practical concerns before the policy is finalised.
Beyond right to work, the broader digital ID system could reshape how employers interact with government services. The system aims to replace reliance on multiple logins and paper documents with a single app, covering services from tax returns to managing benefits. For employers — especially those in sectors like homecare that already manage complex compliance requirements around sponsored workers and immigration status — this shift could streamline onboarding and reduce administrative burden, but will also require investment in digital processes and staff training.
The consultation closes at 12:30pm on 5 May 2026.