GOV.UK One Login, the UK government’s single sign-in and identity verification service, is likely to provide access to every central government service within the next 18 months, according to Natalie Jones, director for One Login and verified credentials at the Government Digital Service (GDS).
Speaking at the Think Digital Identity and Cyber Security for Government conference, Jones said One Login now covers 256 services and has more than 23 million users. “Within the next 18 months, it’s not just possible; it’s actually probable that people will use One Login to access every single central government service,” she said.
HM Revenue and Customs is the largest migration under way. HMRC began onboarding new customers to One Login in February, and Jones described that as the first of three phases. Existing Government Gateway users will move next, followed by people who use HMRC services professionally.
GDS is also adding ways for people to prove who they are. A knowledge-based verification route built with the Department for Work and Pensions uses information DWP already holds, rather than questions based on a person’s financial footprint, and Jones said nearly twice as many people complete it as completed the previous version. About 300,000 people chose One Login passkeys in their first month. An open banking route, supported by a £4.7 million contract with Ecospend, is expected in 2027 and would let users share information held by their bank as an alternative to passport or driving licence checks.
The GOV.UK Wallet is the next focus. After trials of the digital driving licence, GDS plans to open its wallet sandbox to private-sector digital identity providers next month, run end-to-end testing with real users and licences at the end of the year, and begin a national public rollout from spring. The wallet already holds the digital veteran card, its first government-issued credential.
Jones said GDS has identified around 80 credentials that could eventually be issued digitally, including passports, birth certificates, proof of benefits, DBS checks and fishing licences. Verified credentials would let organizations check information against an authoritative source and let users share only what a transaction requires, such as proof of age without a full name or address.
Government services will keep non-digital routes. “There are exception processes for all the services we work with,” Jones said, adding that GDS maintains a list of those processes to make sure they receive appropriate investment.
Sources: THINK Digital Partners
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
