# UK Government Seeks Approval for Identity Gateway

The UK Government has laid a draft code before Parliament that would allow certified private Digital Verification Service (DVS) providers to query public-authority records in real time for identity checks, potentially including biometric data. The gateway cannot commence until both Houses approve the code, with officials targeting the end of 2026. For procurement professionals and industry stakeholders, the immediate activity is provider onboarding and integration planning; the signal identifies no specific contract solicitation, while implementation guidance and data-sharing templates are forthcoming.

- Certified DVS providers and technology firms supporting them may need to plan for connections to public-authority records and the handling of sensitive identity data as the framework advances.
- The end-of-2026 target depends on approval by both Houses of Parliament; the gateway is not yet authorized to commence.
- Organizations can use the forthcoming implementation guidance and data-sharing templates to inform integration planning. No procurement deadline or solicitation is identified in the signal.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
- Office for Digital Identities and Attributes (OfDIA)
- UK Parliament
- United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)
- Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

### Key Quotes
> Confusion and uncertainty are the enemy,
> — Sarah Munby, former Permanent Secretary of DSIT

### Sources
- [UK Digital Identity Gateway Reaches Parliament; Overseeing Department Can't Define Digital Identity](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/329413/20261023/uk-digital-identity-gateway-reaches-parliament-overseeing-department-cant-define-digital-identity.htm) - Tech Times