It appears that the government has backtracked on plans to require workers to register with its new digital ID programme to prove their right to work in the UK.
While right-to-work checks will still be carried out digitally by 2029, such as by using biometric passports, registering for a digital ID will be optional.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that mandatory digital right-to-work checks will be brought in to help crack down on illegal working, but that the digital ID will be one way that a worker could use to prove their eligibility to work.
The idea of compulsory digital IDs has proved unpopular with nearly three million people signing a parliamentary petition to oppose their introduction.
Details on how the digital ID will work are not yet available. Many expect it to be based on the Gov.uk One Login and the yet to be launched, Gov.uk Wallet.
In the meantime, it is already possible to use government-certified digital verification services to do passport checks on British and Irish citizens. The Home Office also provide an online service for verifying the status of non-British or Irish citizens where the individual’s immigration status is held electronically.
The government has published a response to its consultation 'Land Remediation Relief' (LRR). The review sought to understand whether the Corporation Tax relief continues to incentivise the redevelopment of brownfield land and whether reforms are needed to ensure it remains effective, accessible and aligned with modern remediation practices.
The government has published a raft of consultations on tax and business policies. It is worth being aware of these, as they are a good indicator of future policy direction likely to impact small businesses.
