Digital Right to Work Checks to be made permanent

The Government has announced that Digital Right to Work (RTW) Checks are to be made permanent from 6 April 2022. Digital RTW checks were introduced on a temporary basis to alleviate the practical difficulties associated with completing physical checks while working remotely during the pandemic. These were meant to expire in June 2021 but were extended to make the process easier and quicker for employers struggling with staff shortages and ongoing periods of remote working arrangements.  

Specifically, The Home Office and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) announced they are working alongside the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to develop a UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework. This will allow employers to use certified identification document validation technology (IDVT) service providers to carry out right to work checks from 6th April 2022.

The Government’s review into digital RTW checks states that the costs of using the new digital system will have to be met by employers. These costs are yet to be confirmed. 

In its December policy paper, the Government states: “Enabling the use of Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) for right to work, right to rent and DBS checks will help to support long-term post pandemic working practices, accelerate the recruitment and onboarding process, improve employee mobility and enhance the security and integrity of the checks.

For employers, the introduction of digital identity checking into the Schemes will mean they can assure prospective employees’ identities, using consistent and more secure methods, reducing risk and allowing them to recruit in a safer way.”

The full business impact of these changes are to be seen – further updates to come as more information is provided by the UK Government. For HR advice and support do contact our expert HR team >>

The full outcome of the review into digital right to work checks can be found here.