Consultation launched, People's Panel planned, yet still no price tag attached

The UK government has refused to estimate the cost of its digital identity system, saying this depends on what it decides after a consultation exercise launched yesterday.

"At this stage of development, it is not possible to definitively estimate the cost to government from developing and running the digital ID system," said the Cabinet Office on page 83 of the 91-page consultation document, adding that yet-to-be-taken policy decisions "will materially impact the costs involved."

In September last year, prime minister Keir Starmer announced his plans for a new digital identity system that people would have to use when taking a new job by the end of the current Parliament. After opposition, including three million people signing a parliamentary petition against the scheme, he scrapped this compulsory element in January. The consultation says that instead, employers will have to carry out digital right-to-work checks, but may use passports or eVisas as ...