Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Digital Identity Scheme

Thursday 22 January 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial questions discussed the Government's investment in a digital ID system.
  • The Minister highlighted the system's role in enhancing public services and government efficiency.
  • The Minister committed to ensuring free digital IDs for all UK citizens by the end of the Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Susan Murray Lib Dem Mid Dunbartonshire
Crime & Law Enforcement Standards & Ethics
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Josh Simons (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The cost of £2 billion was not addressed, nor were concerns about resources being better used against organised crime.

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Q2 Graeme Downie Lab Dunfermline and Dollar
Science & Technology
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Josh Simons (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

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.

Answered
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Q3 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Science & Technology Parliamentary Procedure Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP chaired the Public Accounts Committee for nearly a decade, witnessing challenges caused by poor data management across Government Departments.

Question

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?

Answer from Josh Simons (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: 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.

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