The UK's proposed Digital ID scheme was set to be the most significant national developments in identity for a generation, though those plans have since been scrapped.
What does a digital ID really mean for citizens, employers, and the future of digital trust?
Global systems undoubtedly influenced the UK government's potential shift towards digital ID infrastructure, with digital identity evolving in different ways around the world, from IDs to bank cards. Even though the scheme is now scrapped, digital IDs still exist in one form or another across the globe, so being aware of them is key to staying ahead of the digital identity curve.
Ascertia provides solutions and digital trust products that support digital identity cards, including solutions for creating and verifying digital signatures, managing secure identities, and integrating with Digital Identity Wallets.
The UK Government Digital ID scheme proposal
In September 2025, the UK government announced a new national Digital ID scheme that was set to become mandatory for Right to Work checks for anyone entering new employment.
The phone‑based digital identity would have sat inside the GOV.UK Digital Identity Wallet, similar to how millions of UK citizens currently use the NHS App or contactless mobile payments. The UK government made a clear commitment to share digital ID information only with a citizen's explicit consent, store the ID only on the device, and ensure that data remains encrypted.
These plans have since been left by the wayside with the introduction of a new Prime Minister with different plans.
What would the UK Digital ID have been used for?
The digital ID was set to contain your name, date of birth, nationality or immigration status, a verified photograph, and cryptographically protected attributes. This was all the information needed for employers to confirm right to work securely without the need for uploading or scanning physical documents or photocopying passports.
Previous iterations of Digital ID in the UK
Even before the now‑cancelled digital ID scheme, the UK government had experimented with wallet‑based identity platforms, with trials rolled out for digital Right to Rent, Right to Work, and a pilot digital driving license credential.
The EU Digital Identity Wallet (eIDAS 2.0)
One of the most significant global developments in digital identity is the EU Digital Identity Wallet (part of the revised eIDAS 2.0 regulation). EU citizens and residents will be able to download the EUDI Wallet onto their smartphones, enabling them to access online/offline public and private services (such as banking, healthcare, and travel) by storing and sharing verified digital documents and credentials (e.g. driving licenses, qualifications).
These wallets will be provided by 27 Member States by 2026, with plans to achieve widespread adoption by 2030. The EUDI Wallet has significantly influenced other countries' digital identity scheme proposals.
Digital identity around the world
Each country reflects its own trust levels and approach to digital ID technology. Understanding some of these models helps us understand why the UK was thinking about heading down the path of digital ID.
Estonia is a perfect example of the government‑led eID model. Citizens in Estonia use a state‑issued digital identity card that is directly linked to their legal identity, providing them with access to tax portals, healthcare services, business registration, prescription management, and even online voting in elections.
Adoption and trust of the process were high from the start, with strong PKI from day one. This seamless digital experience with interoperability across all public services required deep trust in the government, which may be a difficulty for some nations. This digital identity system also reduced flexibility for private identity providers.
Sweden is another good example of global adoption of digital identity infrastructure. Instead of a government‑issued ID card, a digital identity is often provided through banks. Sweden's BankID is used to authenticate with government services, banks, online retailers, and almost everything else.
While citizens in Sweden were keen to adopt this new service and showed strong trust in banks, their excellent user experience was somewhat soured by an argument that this system gives banks too much influence and promotes lower government oversight.
Why did the UK choose the digital wallet design?
It's clear that the UK was inspired by Estonia, Sweden, and the EU when it came to choosing its digital ID system, even though it is no longer moving ahead with such plans.
The UK's distinct scheme was set to be a government‑issued, wallet‑based digital identity credential built on strong cryptography, designed for future expansion, and without a centralised database.
What UK Digital ID would have meant in practice and for privacy
Digital identity is currently operating in a zero‑trust environment, where online identity is complex and fragmented. Every day, thousands of scans of passports and driving licenses are uploaded, emailed, and submitted to unsecure platforms, directly contributing to the rise of phishing, spoofing, and identity fraud.
Once set up, the UK digital ID would have:
- Sat securely inside the GOV.UK wallet
- Been shared only when the user approves it
- Was initially planned to be used to prove Right to Work, with further access to public services, banking, housing, and other services in future
- Only needed the user to prove their identity once using the GOV.UK One Login app (with face scan) or at a Post Office, providing documents like a passport or driving license
UK Digital ID: The Future
The UK Digital ID scheme aimed to demonstrate its commitment to transparency, privacy, and security.
It emphasised:
- Data minimisation: only sharing what is needed.
- Selective disclosure: proves eligibility to work without sharing complete data.
- Cryptographic protection: secure credentials with PKI.
- Explicit consent: the user approves every use
If implemented, this system could have improved the lives of millions of people in the UK. For employers and employees, this meant a faster onboarding process and a smoother hiring experience. For the government, this meant a more transparent and safer identity assurance system for its citizens.
The role of trust infrastructure
Behind every digital ID is a trust infrastructure that includes certificates, signing keys, validation, secure issuance, and tamper‑proof records. This is where Ascertia plays a key role.
The success of digital identity relies on the same cryptographic trust anchors that secure digital signatures, sealed documents and high‑assurance transactions.
Find out more about Ascertia's trust services, digital signatures, and how we support secure digital identity ecosystems.
