Government Sets Out Digital ID and New Towns Plan

High-Level Summary

The Commons day featured an Urgent Question on the Government’s digital ID plans, a wide-ranging debate on the next generation of new towns, and a Justice Committee statement on illegal drugs in prisons. Ministers confirmed a voluntary, free digital ID to improve access to services and committed to mandating digital right‑to‑work checks, with a public consultation to follow. The Housing Minister said at least three new towns would begin this Parliament, subject to a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and consultation, with development corporations the preferred delivery model. Other business included Culture, Media and Sport questions (town and city of culture, gambling advertising, youth and sport), Church Commissioners questions (persecuted Christians, listed places of worship, safeguarding), the Business Statement, a backbench debate on covid-19 financial support, and an adjournment debate on safeguarding newly planted trees.

Detailed Summary

Answers to Addresses (Royal reply on public appointments)

The Vice‑Chamberlain reported that His Majesty had received the House’s Addresses relating to several public appointments and reappointments and would comply in each case, including the re‑appointment of an Electoral Commissioner and appointments to IPSA and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England: “I will comply with your request.” [ref: a1051.4/2; a1051.4/3; a1051.4/4; a1051.4/5]. No further House action was stated.

Oral Answers: Culture, Media and Sport

Voluntary, community and social enterprise sector: The Secretary of State said the Government had reset relations with civil society and were seeking more investment, contrasting this with a previous “perfect storm” for charities: “This Government have reset that relationship through the civil society covenant” [ref: a1051.10/1]. She cited support including having “more than doubled the employment allowance” [ref: a1052.1/1], and agreed to raise charity bank account access with the Treasury: “take that matter up with colleagues in the Treasury” [ref: a1052.3/1].

Town and City of Culture: Ministers launched the UK’s first “town of culture” competition, with a low‑bureaucracy, community‑led approach and an independent judging panel: “launched the UK’s first ever town of culture competition” [ref: a1052.8/1]; “Applications open this week” [ref: a1053.1/1]; “The judging panel will be chaired by… Sir Phil Redmond” and “Every single one of the shortlisted towns will receive money” [ref: a1054.3/1].

Gambling advertising: The Government said they monitor evidence and keep policy under review, highlighting research via the levy and the Premier League’s forthcoming ban on front‑of‑shirt gambling sponsors: “We monitor a wide range of evidence” [ref: a1055.2/1]; “Twenty per cent of that £120 million will go towards… research” [ref: a1055.4/2]; “the Premier League… has banned shirt sponsorship from next season” [ref: a1055.6/1].

Creative industries and AI: Ministers pointed to a statutory impact assessment deadline of 18 March and said they aim to support rights holders while enabling innovation; Ofcom is expected to enforce the Online Safety Act: “publish an independent impact assessment before 18 March” [ref: a1056.2/1]; “support rights holders… and… allow AI developers” [ref: a1056.4/1]; “Ofcom must do its job” [ref: a1056.6/1].

Access to sports facilities: The Government reiterated a “£400 million” commitment for grassroots facilities and highlighted Sport England’s community asset transfer guidance: “committing £400 million” [ref: a1057.4/1]; “community asset transfer toolkit” [ref: a1057.6/1]. On women’s sport, Ministers said, “We are working with sporting bodies to make sure they get this right.” [ref: a1058.5/1].

Improving outcomes for young people and youth activities: The Government referenced the cross‑Government “Youth Matters” strategy and said funding will prioritise youth‑led organisations: “published our… youth strategy, ‘Youth Matters’” [ref: a1058.8/1]; “only fund organisations that put young people in the driving seat” [ref: a1059.0/1]. They cited targeted job support for 18‑21‑year‑olds [ref: a1059.2/1], assured that there will be “no musical instruments collecting dust” [ref: a1059.5/1], and highlighted investment of “over £500 million” for youth access and “£400 million” for grassroots facilities [ref: a1060.3/1; a1060.5/1]. On inclusion for disabled young people: “Everyone should have the opportunity to play sport” [ref: a1060.7/1].

Co‑operative live music venues: Support cited included the Community Ownership Fund, Pride in Place and a forthcoming “up to £30 million” music growth package, alongside encouraging a voluntary £1 ticket levy: “benefited from the Government’s community ownership fund” [ref: a1061.6/1]; “voluntary £1 levy” [ref: a1062.0/1].

Topical: The Secretary of State said, “We have kick‑started the BBC charter review” [ref: a1062.3/1], denied prior DCMS knowledge of a fan ban at a football match—“absolutely not correct to say that DCMS officials were made aware that a ban was going to take place” [ref: a1063.2/1]—and criticised West Midlands Police leadership: “astonishing that the chief constable remains in post” [ref: a1063.2/2]. She also pointed to “£400 million for grassroots sporting facilities” [ref: a1064.3/1] and, on the Listed Places of Worship scheme, said the “current scheme will end on 31 March” with an announcement “in due course” [ref: a1065.4/1].

Church Commissioners Questions

Persecuted Christians abroad: The Commissioner said persecution is rising and Christians are “the most targeted” [ref: a1066.9/2], citing Open Doors’ report: “An estimated 338 million Christians are facing persecution” [ref: a1067.1/1]. Nigeria was highlighted for killings by extremist groups [ref: a1067.3/1].

Listed Places of Worship grant scheme: The Commissioner said uncertainty is delaying repairs and projects and that Ministers would update the House soon: “uncertainty is delaying repairs” and she was “assured that the Government would be updating the House soon” [ref: a1068.0/1]. She noted churches’ “estimated social value is £55 billion” [ref: a1068.4/1] and warned further delay adds costs: “any further delay will continue to bring uncertainty” [ref: a1069.2/1].

Christians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: She called the situation “beyond devastating” [ref: a1069.7/1], said revoking aid agencies’ licences would worsen conditions [ref: a1069.9/1], and noted bishops would visit again soon.

End‑of‑life ministry: The Church anticipates “considerable impact on the end‑of‑life ministry” from the assisted dying Bill [ref: a1070.5/1], supports institutional and individual opt‑outs [ref: a1070.7/1], and welcomed thorough scrutiny [ref: a1071.0/1].

Safeguarding: Synod has voted for reform; Dame Christine Ryan has been appointed to lead the programme, and safeguarding will be a priority for the archbishop‑elect: “General Synod voted to reform safeguarding structures” [ref: a1073.5/1]; “safeguarding will be a significant priority for her” [ref: a1074.1/1].

House of Commons Commission and Restoration & Renewal

New Palace Yard project: The Commission reported completion this month at “an expected cost of £62 million, within the latest approved business case”, with steps to improve peak‑time exit delays [ref: a1071.5/1; a1071.7/1].

Restoration and Renewal: Member consultation: There have been “380 interactions with MPs and peers” this Parliament [ref: a1072.0/1]. If a full decant is chosen, “Lords will likely go to the Queen Elizabeth II centre and MPs to the northern estate” [ref: a1072.2/1].

British manufacturers (retail sourcing): About 85% of ceramic items in the gift shops are fully or partially UK‑made [ref: a1072.7/1]; some products are “sourced as unfinished products from overseas and then hand‑finished in the UK” [ref: a1073.0/1].

Urgent Question: Digital ID and digital right‑to‑work checks

Minister Josh Simons set out two aims: a voluntary, free digital ID to modernise access to services, and mandated digital right‑to‑work checks to reduce illegal working. He said the credential would be inclusive and subject to consultation: “The new digital ID will be a modern, secure and trusted way… It will be inclusive” [ref: a1075.2/2]; “there will be checks, they will be digital and they will be mandatory” [ref: a1075.2/4]; “Digital IDs will be rolled out for free to everyone who wants one” [ref: a1076.3/1]. He added, “access to public services will not be conditional on having one” and rollout will include “one of the largest digital inclusion programmes” [ref: a1077.0/1].

Members pressed on costs, civil liberties and a perceived U‑turn. The Minister said detailed costs and design choices will follow consultation and cited international examples: “India’s digital ID programme has saved an estimated $10 billion per year” [ref: a1077.3/1]. He outlined safeguards—consent‑based data sharing and a system “decentralised, with strong firewalls between data sets” [ref: a1079.2/1]—and confirmed delivery “by the end of this Parliament” [ref: a1078.2/1]. He argued digitised right‑to‑work checks will create an audit trail to “toughen up our enforcement against illegal working” [ref: a1079.6/1]. Next steps: a public consultation “in a few weeks,” with implementation details thereafter [ref: a1077.3/1].

Business of the House (weekly statement and questions)

The Leader set out business for 19–23 and 26–30 January, including remaining stages of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, consideration of Lords amendments to the Sentencing and Holocaust Memorial Bills, and Second Reading of the Armed Forces Bill [ref: a1089.2/2–a1089.2/12]. In questions, issues raised included defence funding plans, pressures on pubs and hospitality, NHS waiting lists, taxi licensing reforms and foreign affairs. The Leader said the Government is “committed to increasing defence expenditure” [ref: a1090.0/4], highlighted “£4.3 billion of support over three years” for pubs [ref: a1090.0/5], and “provided a record £7.3 billion of funding for local roads” [ref: a1090.0/6].

Select Committee statement: Prisons – illegal drugs

Justice Committee Chair Andrew Slaughter said drug use in prisons is “endemic”, undermining safety and rehabilitation, and cited Prisons and Probation Ombudsman data: 833 deaths investigated over two years, of which 136 were drug‑related [ref: a1110.4/2–a1110.4/3]. He expressed disappointment that the Government accepted only eight of 29 recommendations [ref: a1110.4/4] and highlighted concerns including staff vetting (re‑vetting every 3–5 years rather than lifelong), drone deliveries—“a 770% increase in drone sightings between 2019 and 2023” [ref: a1110.4/11]—and demand drivers, with “49% of prisoners” entering with an identified drug need [ref: a1110.4/15]. The Committee urged more drug‑free wings, rapid repairs, wastewater testing, better financial tracking, and universal take‑home naloxone for leavers, noting “61% of post‑release deaths are drug related” [ref: a1110.4/16]. The Government response beyond this critique was not stated in the transcript.

Bill presented: Armed Forces Bill

A Bill to continue and amend the Armed Forces Act 2006 and related provisions was presented and read a first time; Second Reading is scheduled for “Monday 19 January” [ref: a1116.5/2–a1116.5/3]. No debate occurred at introduction.

Backbench Business: New towns

Marking 80 years since the 1946 Act, Members debated locations (e.g., Tempsford, Adlington, Thamesmead), infrastructure, affordable housing, stewardship and local engagement. The Housing Minister said Government had welcomed 12 taskforce‑recommended locations and will “consult on the programme alongside the completed SEA report in the coming weeks” [ref: a1154.1/10]. He committed to “get spades in the ground on at least three new towns in this Parliament” [ref: a1154.1/8], backed development corporations as “the preferred model” [ref: a1154.1/15], and said new towns should include “genuinely affordable homes” [ref: a1154.1/12], with the 40% affordable ambition to be addressed alongside viability and potential grant. Funding will draw on existing housing programmes: “delivery of new towns will be backed by funding across the Government’s landmark housing programmes” [ref: a1157.1/1]. He added the Government is reflecting on whether new‑town homes should count toward local housing need [ref: a1154.1/11] and that a “long‑term stewardship model should be in place from the outset” [ref: a1158.1/3].

Backbench Business: Covid‑19 financial support for small businesses and individuals

Members highlighted those excluded from pandemic schemes—company directors paid via dividends, the newly self‑employed, PAYE freelancers and others—arguing many received no meaningful support: “Around 3.8 million UK taxpayers were excluded” [ref: a1161.3/3]. Calls were made for recognition, apology, assessment of harms and lessons for future crisis support. Responding, the Minister said the Government will learn lessons, engage with the covid inquiry’s recommendations, and pursue fraud and error recovery, citing the counter‑fraud commissioner’s finding that “covid fraud cost the taxpayer a staggering £10.9 billion” [ref: a1181.0/9] and that “Since coming to office, the Government have recouped almost £400 million” [ref: a1181.0/11]. He committed to improve preparedness and data capabilities and to consider the inquiry’s recommendations: “We will carefully study and consider any recommendations” [ref: a1181.0/7]. No policy changes or compensation commitments were stated in the transcript.

Adjournment: Protection and management of young trees

The Member warned that planting without establishment wastes money and climate benefits, citing examples: on the A14, “failure rate was 45%” [ref: a1186.0/1], and in four cities only “42% were in good condition” [ref: a1186.0/1]. Proposals included mandated aftercare plans, bundled planting‑aftercare contracts, performance bonds and better records. The Minister agreed establishment is critical and outlined existing supports: compliance with the UK Forestry Standard; the England Woodland Creation Offer pays “£400 per hectare per year for 15 years” for maintenance [ref: a1188.0/7]; and the urban tree fund ties payments to evidence of establishment—“we require evidence of good establishment rates, and we withhold payments” [ref: a1188.0/14]. She highlighted the commitment to “create three new national forests” [ref: a1188.0/5–a1188.0/6] and ongoing research and guidance improvements. Next steps include the forthcoming England tree action plan (not dated in the transcript).