The Government is consulting on the draft legislation, which aims to improve how data is shared and used across the public sector. This is, the Government says, to make identity verification online easier and more reliable, and to help the Government ensure more people can use digital public services.

The organisations affected by this consultation are public authorities in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and/or other government departments, arm’s length bodies, non-departmental public bodies or other organisations who may consider they could be affected by the draft regulations. It may also be relevant to other bodies that have an interest in identity verification services. However, the Government says, the specified organisations are not meant to be exhaustive or exclusive. Responses are welcome from anyone with an interest in or views on the subject covered by this consultation.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 1 March 2023. A response to the consultation exercise is due to be published by 24 May 2023. To access the consultation, click here.