In a recent hearing before the Home Affairs Committee, Darren Jones, the chief secretary to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressed the government’s intention to develop its digital ID system in-house rather than outsourcing it to external firms. This decision aims to maintain control over the system and ensure it integrates well with existing technologies.

Jones emphasized the need to build the technology internally, stating, “I would like to think about how we build the technology ourselves, in-house, as opposed to outsourcing it to, say, a big American tech company.” He highlighted the importance of avoiding a large, expensive, stand-alone IT project, which could lead to significant costs without delivering the anticipated benefits.

With growing concerns about privacy and data security, Jones acknowledged the public's desire for direct access to their public sector data without intermediaries. He stated, “My sense is that the public would rather have a login to their public sector data without it all going via third-party private sector companies.” This approach aims to leverage the innovation in the private sector while ensuring the government retains oversight.

Public Consultation Imminent

Following the announcement of the digital ID initiative by Prime Minister Starmer in September 2025, the government committed to initiating a public consultation at the start of 2026. Jones informed the committee that this consultation would not only involve technical discussions but also encourage public engagement. He remarked, “There will be traditional consultation methods, as you would expect – it is our legal requirement to do that.”

Jones recognized the previous silence following the announcement as a mistake, stating that immediate public engagement was essential to clarify the goals and benefits of the digital ID scheme. This silence led to misinformation and misconceptions among the public. Jones aims for the upcoming consultation to address these concerns and foster a better understanding of the proposed digital ID.

Addressing Privacy and Legacy IT Concerns

Initially proposed as mandatory for right-to-work checks, the digital ID scheme faced backlash from privacy advocates, prompting the government to revise its stance. As of January 2026, the compulsory aspect was removed. Employers will still be required to conduct digital right-to-work checks by 2029, but employees can choose between a government-issued digital ID, physical documents, or private sector IDs.

“We will provide a digital ID that will be free for people to have, but only if they want to have it and use it,” Jones confirmed. He reassured the public that the system would not compromise their privacy, proposing a federated data system where individuals control access to their data.

Amidst concerns about the UK potentially becoming a surveillance state, Jones reiterated that these fears stemmed from misinformation. He described his vision for a system where citizens have more control over their data than with private sector services, ensuring transparency and security.

Jones further stated, “I have asked the team to make sure it is at least equivalent to banking-level security, with banking apps.” He insisted that the system’s security would meet high standards, including two-factor authentication and secure data handling protocols.

Future Aspirations for Digital ID

While the immediate goal for the digital ID system focuses on right-to-work checks by 2029, Jones envisions broader applications across government services. “There are lots of simple customer service issues that are absolutely capable of being put into one place,” he noted, suggesting that the system could eventually streamline interactions with local government services.

Jones acknowledged the challenges posed by legacy IT systems within government departments. To successfully implement the digital ID, upgrades or replacements of outdated systems will be necessary. He mentioned, “The challenge for us on legacy IT will be in the future, when we are trying to take an existing customer service that may be on a legacy IT system and onboard it to the app.”

In conclusion, the UK government aims to build its digital ID system in-house to enhance public trust, security, and integration with existing services, while addressing the public's concerns through an inclusive consultation process.

Source: ComputerWeekly.com News