Digital Identity Scheme 2026-01-22
2026-01-22
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The government recently reversed its stance on digital identity cards and is now investing in a new digital ID system. The cost of the new system is expected to be nearly £2 billion.
I welcome the Government’s U-turn on digital identity cards, but they must go further. We are now looking at a largely redundant system that is expected to cost nearly £2 billion. Will the Minister explain why this is the best use of public money and whether he agrees that the resources would be better directed to tackling organised crime rather than building a system that primarily monitors compliant citizens?
We are building a digital ID system because it is the infrastructure that we need for the foundation of the British state and better public services in years to come. I am proud that we as a Government are investing the time and resources to improve government and make it work better for people so that it is easier to access public services.
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Assessment & feedback
The cost of £2 billion was not addressed, nor were concerns about resources being better used against organised crime.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP visited Estonia where a digital ID system has been implemented, providing citizens with better access to public services. The system saves about 2% of GDP.
At the beginning of the year, I visited Estonia to see how 100% of public services are delivered via its digital ID system. It is done safely and securely, and as the Minister said, citizens now have better access to and control over their data, including over who sees what, when and where. The system also saves Estonia about 2% of GDP, which has allowed it to re-energise its system and continue to evolve for the future. Will the Minister reassure me that, despite the news last week, we will continue to press forward strongly with a digital ID system and show the people of the UK that it can be beneficial to their lives and make things much better for them?
Absolutely. By the end of this Parliament, every UK citizen who wants a digital ID will be able to get one free of charge. To deliver that, we will launch a huge digital inclusion drive across the UK, and I look forward to working with hon. Members from across the House on that, including my hon. Friend.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP chaired the Public Accounts Committee for nearly a decade, witnessing challenges caused by poor data management across Government Departments.
I had the privilege of chairing the Public Accounts Committee for nearly a decade, and in that role I saw the challenges caused by how poor data often is across Government. In one hearing, for example, we learned that Government Departments have 13 different ways of recording an individual’s address, and there are many other issues around data. Is the Minister alert to those issues, and how will he tackle them to make sure that this system is watertight?
My hon. Friend has deep experience of these challenges, and she is absolutely right: the reason why digital ID is so vital to the future of our public services and government is all about data. That will become ever more important in the future age of artificial intelligence.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific issues with poor data management across Government Departments were not addressed, nor was a concrete plan on ensuring the system's robustness provided.
Response accuracy