The Government has formally confirmed that its national Digital ID programme has been cancelled and that the proposed scheme, legislation and mandatory use for right-to-work checks will not proceed.
The confirmation appears in the Government's response to a Home Affairs Committee report examining its Digital ID plans. The response was received by the committee on 10 September and published by Parliament on 18 September.
It states: “Since the Committee reported, the government has cancelled the national Digital ID programme.”
The Government added that it would not proceed with the programme considered by MPs, including its proposed mandatory use for right-to-work checks.
Digital right-to-work checks will not become compulsory for every employer
Employers will remain legally responsible for carrying out prescribed checks confirming that prospective employees have the right to work in the UK.
However, the Government says it will not require every employer right-to-work check to be conducted digitally. Employers will therefore retain the option of using other prescribed routes where those routes are available.
The decision does not change the existing arrangements for people who already demonstrate their immigration status through the Home Office's online service, including eVisa holders.
New rules for employers choosing digital checks
From 1 October 2026, an employer that chooses to use a digital verification service for a prescribed digital right-to-work check will need to use a service certified against the statutory Digital Verification Services trust framework and its supplementary right-to-work code.
The service must also appear in the statutory register if the employer is to obtain a statutory excuse against liability for employing somebody who does not have permission to work.
The Government stressed that this requirement regulates the digital route where an employer chooses to use it. It does not force an employer to select that route.
Government is not abandoning digital identity altogether
The cancellation applies to the separate national Digital ID programme. It does not mean that every government digital identity project is being scrapped.
The Government Digital Service will continue developing GOV.UK One Login, the GOV.UK Wallet and government-issued digital credentials, including the digital Veteran Card and digital driving licence.
The Office for Digital Identities and Attributes will also continue overseeing the statutory regime for private digital verification services. Its responsibilities include maintaining the trust framework and the register of certified providers.
Existing eVisas will continue to provide digital evidence of a person's immigration status. The Government says the earlier proposal to transfer eVisas into the national Digital ID programme no longer arises because that programme has been cancelled.
Proposed legislation will not proceed
The Government has also confirmed that the proposed new Digital ID legislation and potential development of the national programme examined by the committee will not proceed.
It said any future legislative proposals or significant changes to digital identity would require appropriate assessment, consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
Committee had questioned delivery and safeguards
The Home Affairs Committee had raised concerns about the Government's capacity to deliver the programme, the lack of a credible implementation roadmap and the implications of making digital checks mandatory.
In its response, the Government agreed that major digital programmes should have clear objectives, evidence-based assessments of costs and benefits and credible delivery plans. It said no implementation roadmap would now be published for the cancelled programme.
What has actually been cancelled?
The cancelled policy is the national Digital ID programme, including the proposed legislation and its planned mandatory right-to-work component.
GOV.UK One Login, the GOV.UK Wallet, eVisas, digital driving licences and the regulated market for digital verification services are separate initiatives and will continue.