REC response to digital ID cards proposal

Responding to the government’s confirmation of plans for a new digital ID scheme, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Chief Executive Neil Carberry said:

“We use digital ID every day, from paying on our phones to travel and event tickets. There is no reason that the state should fall behind.  By providing ID documents it already supplies digitally, the government can unlock faster job starts, and lower administration burdens in our labour market – as well as a faster, more accurate benefits system. This gives us a more fluent and dynamic job market – just what you need to achieve economic growth. The REC has consistently championed digital verification with government because it gets more people into work, makes hiring simpler for businesses and prevents fraud. Government digital ID is essential to the kind of verifiable credential passport we want to deliver for workers to support their job search”

Notes to editors

REC has championed streamlined and digital 'right to work' checks for years. This is because the current system is costly and awkward, having fallen behind the times.

The REC is working with a range of partners to deliver a suite of verifiable credentials – from skills to ID – for workers, based on the Velocity Network Foundation platform.