Kings Speech unveils Bill to introduce digital ID scheme

The King’s Speech announced 37 bills on the UK Government’s agenda, including The Digital Access to Services Bill, which will deliver powers to develop a new voluntary digital ID scheme to access public services. The scheme could, over time, reduce friction for retailers in situations where digital identity checks are required, including for some banking services.

Digital ID will also be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of the Parliament in 2029 to stop those with no right to be in the country from finding work.

Other UK, or non-Scotland announcements included: 

• Energy Independence Bill: This Bill will aim to improve energy security and reduce costs, and will give Ofgem new powers to regulate energy brokers (TPIs) to stop unfair practices
• Competition Reform Bill: This Bill will aim to improve the work of the CMA so that market reviews can be conducted more quickly and in a more focused way
• Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill: This Bill will impose maximum payment terms of 60 days and mandatory interest for late payments at 8% above the Bank of England base rate
• Police Reform Bill (England and Wales): This Bill will scrap Police and Crime Commissioners, aims to put more police on the streets, and will set up a new National Police Service for serious crime

The Association of Convenience Stores welcomed the publication of a number of Bills.

Chief Executive, Ed Woodall, said: “Retail crime, the illicit trade and the cost of trading are three of the biggest issues facing local shops, so we welcome proposals set out in the Kings Speech today to make further progress on putting more police on the streets, protecting retailers from unfair energy contracts, and ensuring that payments are made to them on time. The convenience sector has a long track record of leading on age restricted sales policies, most recently through our Decline09 campaign to simplify the generational tobacco ban, and we will continue to work closely with the government on the implementation of digital ID acceptance in stores.”