Morning, Monday, 17th November 2025
Online
This conference will consider next steps for digital identities and verification services in the UK.
The agenda includes a focus on practical challenges for delivering new digital credentials, the initial rollout of the GOV.UK Wallet and proposed BritCard, as well as the wider direction of national digital identity policy.
It will bring key stakeholders and policymakers together to examine the phased implementation of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 and issues around regulatory alignment and enforcement powers. Areas for discussion include market structure, the role of government Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework-certified providers in provision, and public trust in digital verification services, particularly in light of scrutiny around data protection, security standards, and the use of new verification technologies.
Implementation, governance & funding
Delegates will consider initial progress in delivering the GOV.UK Wallet, alongside plans for a Veteran Card and digital driver’s licence to be available later this year.
The Home Affairs Committee inquiry into potential new digital forms of identification will also be considered, with delegates assessing potential benefits and application for reducing crime and managing migration, as well as wider civil liberties concerns.
There will be further discussion on new rules for transparency and data sharing, and the allocation of funding announced in the 2025 Spending Review to support GOV.UK Wallet development. The role of Trust Framework-certified providers will be examined, including questions of accountability and standards.
Market development & competition
Sessions will consider priorities for achieving a diverse and competitive digital identity system, following supplier and investor concerns about government dominance in provision. Discussion will look at private sector calls for clarity on permitted uses of government authentication and for credentials to be transferable across certified digital wallets, with implications for consumer choice and innovation.
Addressing financial crime risks
The agenda will bring out latest thinking on evolving strategies for using digital identities to reduce fraud in financial services, including approaches highlighted in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy 2025.
Delegates will consider implications for digital identities and the sector following recent government guidance recognising them for compliance with UK Money Laundering Regulations, and the new Companies House requirements from November 2025 for identity verification of people with significant control of companies. Areas for discussion include the extent to which current proposals address persistent gaps in fraud prevention and where further safeguards may be needed.
Cross-sector opportunities & use cases
Further sessions will assess implementation across property, healthcare and banking, with focus on what constitutes best practice and how regulatory, technical and ethical barriers to wider deployment might be addressed.
Delegates will also consider the potential of digital identities to enhance public service delivery, including opportunities and risks arising from obligations under the Online Safety Act 2023. We also expect broader perspectives - including on digital identities within migration policy, with BritCard proposals informing discussion - alongside alternative views from civil society and privacy advocates.
Inclusion, privacy & technology options
Digital inclusion, privacy, and public confidence will also be discussed, looking at options for extending access and safeguarding user data.
Areas for discussion include priorities for supporting digitally excluded groups, in the context of the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund. Sessions will also look at the role of artificial intelligence and biometrics in verification, including strategies to enhance security, mitigate bias, and avoid system vulnerabilities.
Interoperability & standards
Further discussion will examine practical approaches to interoperability with international digital identity systems, including issues for financial transactions, recruitment checks, and border processes.
Delegates will also assess options for alignment with international standards, and strategies for increasing user take-up of digital identity services while maintaining trust and protecting rights.
Overall areas for discussion
- policy: phased implementation of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 - clarity on timelines and regulatory oversight - addressing issues raised around enforcement capacity and consistency
- governance and accountability: responsibilities of the Office for Digital Identity and Attributes - provider compliance under the Trust Framework - transparency, auditability and public trust
- government wallet rollout: implications of GOV.UK Wallet expansion - funding allocations and delivery milestones - coordination with Veteran Card and digital driving licence
- market dynamics: government provision alongside private sector participation - considering risks of one system dominating credential provision - encouraging competition and innovation
- fraud prevention: application of digital identities in tackling financial crime - alignment with Money Laundering Regulations - gaps in safeguarding against identity theft and cyber-enabled fraud
- cross-sector deployment: priorities for use in property, healthcare and banking - technical, regulatory and ethical barriers - assessing evidence from pilots and early adopters
- civil liberties and migration: perspectives on BritCard and migration management - balancing security, efficiency, and privacy rights - incorporating views of advocacy groups
- inclusion and accessibility: addressing barriers for under-served communities - use of Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund - local delivery roles and strategies for improving digital confidence
- advanced technologies: potential for AI and biometrics in verification - managing bias and error - assurance frameworks to secure fairness and resilience
- interoperability and international standards: cross-border verification for finance, recruitment, and borders - opportunities for mutual recognition and global consistency - alignment with EU electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services and International Organisation for Standardisation standards
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Information Commissioner’s Office; Defence Science and Technology Laboratory; Ofcom; Government Legal Department; Home Office; and The Scottish Government.
