GOV.UK Wallet’s summer launch to revolutionise public services

Yoti, Post Office and Lloyds digital IDs recognised by UK govt
Credit: izzuanroslan / Shutterstock

The UK government has announced that the GOV.UK Wallet will be launched this summer, marking a significant step towards digital IDs.

Upon the launch of the government-backed digital wallet, UK residents will have the option to use a digital version of their driver’s licence. This will enable them to easily verify their identification for age-restricted purchases both online and in-store, as well as prove their right to drive directly from their phones.

In addition to driver’s licences, veteran cards will be available for digital storage at launch. The goal is to eventually allow other government-issued credentials, such as DBS checks, to be stored by the end of 2027.

While the government encourages the use of the digital wallet, which will be offered as an app, physical documents will still be available for use.

Science Secretary Peter Kyle commented: “Along with CDs, the Walkman and flip phones, the overflowing drawer rammed with letters from the government and hours spent on hold to get a basic appointment will soon be consigned to history. 

“GOV.UK Wallet will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually.

“For people who choose to use GOV.UK Wallet, they will find it easier to prove they’re entitled to benefits or check their age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before. Crucially, it also opens huge opportunities to make interacting with public services much easier by putting people in control of their own data”

As Kyle highlighted, the primary aim of this technology is to revolutionise public infrastructure, a vision that extends beyond the UK to a global scale.

In 2024, the Digital Identity Regulation was introduced to address digital identification challenges within the European Union (EU). This regulation requires all EU Member States to provide at least one EU Digital Identity Wallet to all citizens and residents by 2026.

Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, the growing importance of digital identification means the UK must keep pace with global trends in digital wallets, as well as address issues to better streamline user experience when it comes to verification. 

At Money 20/20 Europe in Amsterdam last year, a panel of experts discussed the rise of digital wallets. One of the key benefits, as noted by Kyle, is the increased control users have over their own data.

Digital wallets also offer significant advantages for governments, enhancing operational efficiency by enabling instant actions like cancelling stolen passports or reducing public sector costs by shifting notifications from letters and texts to a centralised app.

“We will be overhauling how the public sector uses technology which is essential to delivering our Plan for Change, and in combination with this new tech for people to use themselves, we are going to slash the time people waste dealing with annoying processes so they can focus on what matters to them,” Kyle concluded.