Government expected to unveil eight IDA suppliers for online services

The government is expected to announce eight suppliers to provide identity assurance (IDA) to consumers of online public services.

The move will enable consumers to choose from a range of providers to verify their identity in accessing public services online.

Steve Dover, head of major programmes at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), confirmed the number of suppliers at a recent Open Identity Exchange meeting, according to sources close to the project.

The supplier list for the IDA framework is expected to include BT, PayPal, and the Post Office. Some smaller providers are also expected to appear on the list.

However, the supplier framework is still in its initial stages and some bidders could yet drop off.

The list was expected to be announced on 22 October, but government is waiting to finalise details with the suppliers. The finalised list is expected to be announced by early next week, once all parties have signed up.

The DWP tendered for the £25m IDA services in February to provide identity assurance services for Universal Credit customers.

But Computer Weekly understands the DWP has taken IDA out of the initial roll-out of Universal Credit, which is due to start in April.