The government has announced a GOV.UK wallet, which will make government-issued documents available on your phone.
The scheme will begin with a Veteran Card and an early version of digital driver’s licence later this year.
People will be able to prove their age, online and in person, when buying age-restricted items and prove their right to drive.
The GOV.UK Wallet will enable users to securely store government-issued documents on their phone and use them easily when needed.
The app will make use of the same security features that are already built in to smart phones, such as facial recognition, meaning the documents will be secure even if the phone is lost.
By the end of 2027, it is expected that the wallet will include documents like Veteran Cards, DBS checks and every other credential issued by the government. Physical documents will still be available for those who want them.
A GOV.UK App is planned for launch in summer 2025, which is designed to make it easier for people to navigate the GOV.UK website, access government information and complete essential tasks from their phone.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle said: "Along with CDs, the Walkman and flip phones, the overflowing drawer rammed with letters from the government and hours spent on hold to get a basic appointment will soon be consigned to history. GOV.UK Wallet will mean that every letter or identity document you receive from the government could be issued to you virtually.
"For people who choose to use GOV.UK Wallet, they will find it easier to prove they’re entitled to benefits or check their age when buying alcohol or DIY equipment, with more security and trust than ever before. Crucially, it also opens huge opportunities to make interacting with public services much easier by putting people in control of their own data.
"We will be overhauling how the public sector uses technology which is essential to delivering our Plan for Change, and in combination with this new tech for people to use themselves, we are going to slash the time people waste dealing with annoying processes so they can focus on what matters to them."
