Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 52
52
Accepted in Part
Voter ID lacks evidence of necessity and creates significant barriers for legitimate voters.
Conclusion
We are concerned that the evidence base for the necessity and effectiveness of voter ID is simply not there. There were extremely low levels of personation prior to the introduction of voter ID, and no evidence that it was being under reported. After the introduction of voter ID, the situation has not changed: there continues to be extremely low levels of personation and no evidence that it is being under reported. What has changed however is that there is clear evidence that the introduction of voter ID has been an additional barrier to voting for a considerable number of people. At the 2024 general election, 16,000 were prevented from voting and the Electoral Commission data indicates that between 770,000 and 1.9 million people were either prevented or discouraged from voting. The Government clearly state that “it is unacceptable when legitimate voters are prevented or discouraged from voting”. As such, under the Government’s own measure, this policy has an ‘unacceptable’ effect. Yet the Government have been clear that removal of the policy is off the table. (Conclusion, Paragraph 146)
Government Response Summary
The government reaffirms its commitment to voter ID, but acknowledges accessibility issues by announcing a legislative amendment to permit the use of UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of voter identification to increase accessibility.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
This Government was elected on a manifesto commitment to address the inconsistencies in the voter ID rules that prevent legitimate voters from participating. As set out in the Strategy, the Government is clear that significant improvements are needed to remove barriers to participation while maintaining proportionate safeguards against personation. The Electoral Commission’s report into Voter ID at the 2024 UK general election, published September 2024, showed 4% of non-voters at the 2024 General Election cited voter ID as a factor in their not turning out to vote. Evidence also consistently shows that at least 2% of people in Great Britain do not hold a form of ID on the current list and that certain groups of people are less likely to have accepted forms of ID. Extensive research was also conducted by IFF Research, who looked into the impacts of voter ID on different demographics and their propensity to vote, as published in May 2025 in the IFF evaluation of the impact and implementation of the Elections Act. It is essential to keep our democratic processes under review to ensure they are fit for purpose, which is why we previously amended the list of accepted identifications to include the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card. As set out in the Strategy for Elections, after careful review and consideration of potential changes to ensure the accessibility of the voter ID policy, we will further be amending legislation to permit the use of UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of voter identification in Great Britain. This change will increase accessibility and ensure greater choice and flexibility for voters. Bank cards are held by the overwhelming majority of the electorate, and this change will significantly reduce the proportion of legitimate electors who are unable to meet the identification requirement. This change is particularly important to ensure those who are less likely to hold photo ID–such as electors with disabilities and younger electors–are effectively able to engage with the democratic process and have their voices heard.