Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Government is taking to inform employers that national insurance numbers are not used as (a) proof of identity and (b) right to work in the UK.

The National Insurance Number (NINo) is an administrative reference number used by employers to record National Insurance contributions for their employees. Employees are advised when they receive their NINo that it is not proof of identity but that they must share it with their employer.

Possession of a National Insurance number does not demonstrate that an individual has a right to work in the UK, this is determined by Home Office legislation. A list of acceptable documents that enables an individual to demonstrate they have the right work is set out in the Employers Guide to Right to Work Checks.

https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work