Crisis responds to the UK Government's proposals for a new digital ID

The UK Government has today (26 September) announced new proposals for a digital ID. Ministers claim that the scheme is being designed to "help combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services".

The UK Government intends for digital ID to be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of the current parliament. It is stated that the scheme "will be available to all UK citizens and legal residents, saving time by ending the need for complicated identity checks which often rely on copies of paper records". 

In response to these initial proposals, Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said:

“Any new ID system must be designed to help people access the services they need – rather than make it more difficult.

“People experiencing homelessness already face barriers when trying to access support, secure a tenancy or obtain work, due to having no fixed address. Recent changes elsewhere, such as to voter registration, have hampered people exercising their rights to engage in elections. Many people we work with don’t have smartphones, which at this stage appear central to these new proposals.

“Ministers need to design an ID that is accessible to people without a stable home, and one where the application process does not rely on a fixed address that for some may not exist. This endeavour cannot result in further isolating people who can struggle to navigate complex systems or participate fully in their local communities.”

ENDS