Last month, the government announced the introduction of a national digital-ID scheme. Every UK citizen and legal resident will be issued a free, secure ID stored on their smartphone, with rollout expected by the end of this parliament. Ministers emphasise that the scheme will make interactions with government services simpler and faster, reduce fraud and deter illegal migration.
This is a landmark moment. At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we have long argued in favour of digital ID. We believe that it improves governance and streamlines people’s access to essential services. More than that, it can serve as the cornerstone of a modern, tech-enabled state – one that delivers the kind of personalised, data-driven public services that people deserve.
Unlocking Everyday Benefits
As we set out in Time for Digital ID: A New Consensus for a State That Works, a modern digital ID allows people to prove they are who they say they are, prove that certain things about them are true, and access services smoothly and securely on that basis. It offers one trusted gateway, replacing today’s patchwork of forms, logins and identity checks across departments.
For example, a digital ID could enable people to monitor applications for driving licences, passports or benefits easily through an app on their phone. People who move house would only need to change their address once, because the update would cascade across all relevant departments, from HMRC to the local council and the electoral roll. Reporting local issues – fly-tipping or missed bin collections – would be quick and convenient, with fixes tracked transparently.
Other countries have shown what is possible. Estonia, Sweden and India all use various forms of digital ID to enable more efficient tax, health and welfare services. The UK has lagged behind, and our research shows that people find interactions with government inconvenient and support the use of technology to improve public services. They want to see practical features embedded in any future digital-ID system: polling conducted for TBI by market-research organisation Yonder in June 2025 shows three-quarters of UK adults surveyed want to track the progress of their applications, and over two-thirds want to view personal records and vote online.
From Reactive to Proactive
Much of the debate so far has focused on immigration. The scheme will help here by toughening right-to-work checks, closing loopholes that enable the shadow economy and make the UK more attractive to illegal workers. But to see digital ID only through that lens would be to miss its broader potential: transforming how government delivers for people in the years ahead.
As TBI Director of Government Innovation Policy Alexander Iosad explains, digital ID is the enabling layer for deeper reform. In our Governing in the Age of AI series of papers, we have set out how harnessing new technology could reduce costs, eliminate backlogs and free up frontline workers across the public sector.
These advances depend on a trusted mechanism to verify identity and deliver tailored services – which is the role of digital ID. It is the connective tissue of a 21st-century government, enabling AI-powered case management in welfare, personalised support in health and education, and real-time engagement between local authorities and residents. Done right, it can transform the state from a reactive bureaucracy into a proactive service.
A Moment of Opportunity
TBI has long argued that digital ID is the most powerful tool left unused on the shelf. Now, the government’s challenge is to implement it well, with safeguards, transparency and a focus on delivering tangible benefits. The introduction of digital ID represents a huge opportunity to rebuild trust, empower citizens and create a state that works.