Thank you for contacting me about the draft legislation to support identity verification.
The Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Cabinet Office, is developing, in collaboration with other Government departments, a digital identity verification service that will allow people to create and reuse digital identities.
Known as Gov.UK One Login, this service will make it easier for people to find and access Government services, allow users to prove their identity online, protect the privacy of users, and reduce identity fraud and theft. It will also enable public bodies to share a wider range of specified data than is currently possible. This further benefits individuals and households by improving digital inclusion, reducing the burden on individuals of providing the same information to different public authorities many times.
To successfully deliver this service, participating public authorities will need to be able to check and share several types of Government-held personal data with the identity verification service to allow users to prove who they say they are.
Running from 4 January to 1 March 2023, the consultation set out the proposed data sharing between specified public authorities to support delivery of identity verification services to individuals and households. It was aimed at UK public authorities and other governmental departments, arm's length bodies, non-departmental public bodies or other organisations who believed they could be affected by the draft regulators, but responses were also welcome from anyone with an interest in or views on the subject covered by this consultation.
I understand the response to this consultation exercise is due to be published by 24 May 2023. I will continue to follow developments closely.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.