Tony Blair’s think-tank has warned Sir Keir Starmer he cannot risk letting “process” make digital IDs “another failed government IT project” as ministers push ahead with a revamped proposal after ditching plans to make them compulsory.
The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) said the government must avoid “drowning in process, overspending and underdelivering” if it wants to secure public trust in the “long overdue” scheme.
The government launched a public consultation on the controversial plans on Tuesday, warning that public services need to “catch up” with those offered by the private sector.
But concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the scheme after Sir Keir scrapped a key plank of the plans by rowing back on the requirement to make it mandatory for right-to-work checks.
The plans have received backlash from some campaigners and political opposition, who have slated the idea of an obligatory ID scheme.
Responding to the government’s consultation launch, director of government innovation policy at TBI, Alexander Iosad, said the consultation is an opportunity to “move past the myths that have dominated debate”.
“But to earn trust the government also needs to get on, build something useful and make it real for the public,” he said.
“Digital ID cannot become another failed government IT project, drowning in process, overspending and underdelivering. A modern platform for a modern state can be built quickly, learning from users and iterating in real time.
“All too often, process becomes an excuse for inaction. We can and should innovate in how we engage with the public, and in how we deliver.”
Ministers previously signalled wide-reaching ambitions to make the digital ID scheme the “bedrock of the modern state”, but faced criticism earlier this year for appearing to water down the mandatory element of proposals for right-to-work checks.
The Cabinet Office confirmed on Tuesday that anyone starting a new job “will be able” to use the new digital proof of identity for digital right-to-work checks, which will be required by the end of the current Parliament.
But they will also be able to do a digital check of other documents such as a passport or eVisa if they prefer, officials said.
Announcing the plans in the Commons, chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones insisted the government “will not leave people behind” with the rollout and promised it would “help those who are less confident in technology or don’t have other forms of ID, like a passport”.
Asked how much the scheme would cost, he told MPs “we do not know the answer”, adding: “I look forward to coming back to the House with updated figures after the consultation.”
Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood said the government’s U-turn on whether they would be mandatory had rendered the scheme useless.
“For months his department has insisted that digital ID was absolutely essential, and until a few weeks ago it had to be mandatory, even for babies,” Mr Wood said in the Commons.
“But after months of insisting the scheme was indispensable, the government is now asking the public to tell them just what it is indispensable for.
“There was a time when this was supposed to be the magic bullet to tackle illegal migration. Now the Cabinet Office seems to be suggesting it might just help reduce hold time on government call centres.”
Mr Jones replied: “When the public are doing their online banking and shopping in a quick and convenient way, the fact government is saying you should be able to access public services in that way will seem perfectly sensible.”
As part of the consultation, a “people’s panel” will be set up, bringing together individuals from across the country with different backgrounds, as part of efforts to go “beyond” the usual process and amid scepticism both within Labour and the wider public about the scheme.
Citizens will answer questions including on what age they believe people should be able to get a digital ID, after ministers indicated children as young as 13 could be included in the rollout.
People will also be asked what information it would be useful to include – such as proof of address as well as identity – and what government services it could improve, like getting a driving licence or checking tax codes.
Officials said the prototype of the scheme would show how a system of “government by app” would work with digital ID as its foundation, with ambitions to make this set-up as easy and secure as online banking.
Mr Jones said: “People too often dread their interactions with public services. Endless telephone calls, complicated printed forms and having to tell your story multiple times to different parts of government.
“I want to change that and make public services work for you. The new digital ID will make that possible, allowing you to log on and prove who you are to access public services more quickly, easily and securely.”
