New digital identity checking technology will make it quicker,
safer and more convenient for landlords and employers to carry
out right to rent, right to work and DBS identity checks.
Landlords, letting agents and employers will be able to use
certified new technology to digitally carry out vital right to
work and right to rent checks aimed to crack down on abuse of the
immigration system.
The government has announced that, from 6 April, certified
identity service providers (IDSPs) will be able to use Identification Document
Validation Technology (IDVT) to conduct right to work checks
and right to rent checks on behalf of British and Irish citizens.
IDSPs allow people to verify their identity remotely and prove
their eligibility to work or rent, which will reduce the costs of
recruitment and letting processes. The same process is being
enabled for DBS pre-employment checks.
Working time and hours spent undertaking the checks will be
slashed as landlords and employers who use an IDSP will no longer
need to physically examine documents. IDSPs will also be able to
carry out checks on behalf of employers and landlords at scale,
for example in large recruitment campaigns when a high number of
new employees are recruited.
The right to rent and work schemes are a key measure to tackle
and deter illegal immigration, as part of the government’s New
Plan for Immigration and move to a digital immigration system.
They are intended to prevent individuals without lawful
immigration status in the UK from working and accessing
accommodation, as well as supporting efforts to tackle those who
exploit vulnerable migrants, often housing them in very poor
conditions.
Minister for Safe and Legal Migration, said:
Online checks make it quicker, easier and more secure for
employers and landlords to carry out right to rent and right to
work checks and stop those looking to abuse our immigration
system.
These changes will make the checks more secure, quicker to do and
will better support remote working practices.
Minister of State for Media, Data, and Digital Infrastructure,
, said:
We are determined to seize the potential of new technology to
boost the economy and make people’s lives easier.
Trusted and secure ways for people to confidently verify
themselves online will be a game-changer and offer an alternative
to time-consuming and complex paper-based processes.
I’m delighted people will now be able to take advantage of our
new digital identity trust framework to prove their eligibility
to work, rent, or undergo criminal record checks.
Keith Rosser, Group Director, Reed said:
Digital innovation to a previously manual process will
revolutionise the way UK employers hire, operate, and structure
their business in future. Digital right to work checks are more
secure and faster meaning as we build back better from the
pandemic, UK hiring will be quicker and safer.
The use of technology means companies across the UK can hire from
any talent pool regardless of location aiding the levelling up
agenda and helping UK companies compete internationally.
Further details on how
organisations become certified is available here.
