Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 3 September 2026, to Question HL2688, on Proof of Identity: Digital Technology, and with reference to the answer of 9 December 2025, to Question 96190, on Identity Cards: Digital Technology, if she will set out the methodology in (a) the estimate by the OBR of £1.8 billion over three years and (b) that adopted by the Cabinet Office, further to the statement that the OBR estimate was not an accurate cost of the programme.

The £1.8 billion over three years was a provisional forecast published by the OBR. The OBR is an independent body and is best placed to provide details on the methodology it uses when producing forecasts.

As this was a provisional forecast it was not acknowledged by the Cabinet Office as an accurate cost estimate for implementing the national Digital ID programme.