Advancing Accessible and Inclusive ID Solutions Across the UK
Overview
Credas Technologies, a UK leader in identity verification solutions, partnered with IDGO, a licensed PASS (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) card issuer, to tackle growing national challenges surrounding identity access. Together, they launched an initiative to make secure, digital ID verification more accessible—especially for underserved and vulnerable populations.
Challenge
Millions across the UK face challenges when it comes to obtaining or maintaining valid photo identification. A recent report revealed:
- Over one million driving licences were reported lost or stolen in just one year, resulting in high replacement costs and inconvenience.
- 3.5 million UK citizens lack any form of photo ID—an issue brought to light by new mandatory voter ID laws, which threaten to exclude a significant portion of the population from participating in democratic processes.
- Vulnerable groups, including homeless individuals and ex-offenders, often lack the documentation needed to apply for traditional ID, compounding their exclusion from services like employment, education, healthcare, and banking.
The urgency of the problem is escalating. As regulatory requirements grow—such as the upcoming need for young people to verify their age and identity to access social media platforms—so too does the risk of social exclusion.
“For too long, the lack of accessible and affordable identification has excluded people from fundamental aspects of life—from employment to voting and banking. With the growing need for proof of age, especially for young people online, this issue has never been more pressing.
Partnering with Credas enables us to enhance the security and trustworthiness of our ID solutions while keeping them affordable and inclusive. Together, we are not just verifying identities; we are empowering people with the means to fully participate in society.”
Dannii Hadaway, Founder of IDGO
Solution
To address these challenges, IDGO partnered with Credas Technologies to integrate Credas’s advanced digital identity verification platform into IDGO’s issuance process. This collaboration aims to:
- Provide a secure, scalable, and accessible form of digital identity verification.
- Remove barriers to ID access, especially for those without traditional documentation.
- Support voter registration, employment, banking access, and proof of age verification for young people.
Credas’s platform leverages trusted data sources—such as the HALO database, Amberhill, and the electoral roll—to ensure accurate and secure identity checks. As a certified Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Credas is independently verified to deliver high-confidence digital identity solutions that meet the highest industry standards.
Results
Through this partnership, individuals across the UK, regardless of their personal circumstances, now have improved access to verified identification. This empowers them to:
- Participate in elections.
- Access essential services.
- Apply for jobs and open bank accounts.
- Prove their age in a growing range of age-restricted environments, both online and offline.
“At Credas, we believe that identity verification should be seamless, secure, and accessible to all. Our partnership with IDGO is a significant step towards breaking down barriers and enabling inclusive access to essential services.”
Tim Barnett, CEO of Credas:
Looking Ahead
IDGO is currently developing the UK’s first dual-sided ID and payment card, combining identity verification with financial functionality in one streamlined, user-friendly solution. With Credas’s secure verification technology underpinning this innovation, the future of accessible identification in the UK looks more inclusive than ever.
