🔄 The Digital ID U-Turn: What’s Mandatory and What’s Not?
- HRNews
- Jan 23
- 2 min read
The Government has officially blinked. After months of debate, the plan to make individual Digital IDs mandatory for all workers has been scrapped. However Mandatory Digital Right to Work Checks are still full steam ahead for 2029. Whilst your employees can "opt-out" of a Digital ID, your business cannot opt-out of the digital future ahead.
What is the news?
In a significant policy reversal on 14 January 2026, the Government announced:
Optional Digital ID: Citizens will not be legally required to sign up for the new national digital ID scheme to get a job.
Mandatory Digital Checks: By 2029, the manual "copy and sign" process for physical passports will be a thing of the past. All Right to Work (RTW) checks must be conducted through digital verification services.
Going Paperless: Paper-based records are being phased out to combat fraud, with the goal of a 100% digital audit trail by the end of the decade.
What does it mean?
The burden of compliance is shifting from the individual to the employer's infrastructure:
Process vs. Product: Your employees don't need a "Digital ID card" on their phone, but you will need a Digital Verification Service (IDSP) to scan their passport or e-visa.
Compliance Lockdown: Manual document checks (which were prone to human error and forgery) will no longer provide a "statutory excuse" against fines once the 2029 deadline hits.
Centralisation: The Government is signaling a move toward a centralised digital record of every check ever performed. Transparency is becoming the default.
Our Advice to you:
Don't let the "U-turn" headlines lull you into a false sense of security. The digital transition is still happening; only the method has become more flexible.
Go Paperless Early: If you are still relying on physical photocopies of passports, start trial-running a certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP) now. It's faster, more secure, and prepares your team for the 2029 mandate.
Audit Your Record Keeping: Since the Government wants a digital "record of checks," ensure your HRIS (HR Information System) can store digital verification certificates in a non-editable format.
Communication is Key: Your current and future employees may be confused by these headlines. Be ready to explain that while they don't have to register for a GOV.UK ID, they will still need to participate in a digital verification process when they join you.
The goal is clear: a fraud-proof, digital-first labour market. If you need support to go paperless speak to our team on 01283373687 or email admin@lansburyhr.co.uk
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