Alternative form of identification
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2025.06.24
3.19 Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier North of the Minister for Social Security regarding progress on ID alternatives for older persons raised in the Older Persons Living Forum (OQ.146/2025):
Further to discussions at the meeting of the Older Persons Living Forum on 19th June 2024, will the Minister advise what progress, if any, has been made on the cross-Government project to implement a form of identification cards through the Parishes as an alternative form of identification to a passport or a driving licence?
Deputy L.V. Feltham of St. Helier Central (The Minister for Social Security):
I had a very broad and wide-ranging discussion with the Open Persons Living Forum and I recall that one of the issues raised was people were concerned that if they had not updated their passport or their driving licence, then they may be left without access to services because of lack of photo I.D. (identification). Following on from that conversation, I did undertake to get assurance from my department about the processes that we follow within employment, social security and housing. I was pleased that processes were already in place to ensure that their lack of formal identification was not a barrier. Customers will be asked a series of security questions instead to prove their I.D. Also, further to that, in 2024 a non-passport solution was also set up for JerseyMe so that people without a passport can still set up a digital I.D. and access government services online.
3.19.1 Deputy I. Gardiner :
First of all, I will congratulate the Minister that her department is dealing well but would the Minister agree that recognisable alternative I.D., it is not a matter of convenience, it is dignity and access? Elderly people who cannot get driving licences any longer and do not need a passport to travel because they do not, but they still need a form of I.D., would require alternative and who is she thinking in her view should be responsible to take this project forward?
Deputy L.V. Feltham :
I do agree that having an I.D. is important. However, I know from my own family's circumstances that my own parents and parents-in-law have outdated passports and driving licences that they still use as photo I.D. Since the conversation I had at the Older Persons Living Forum - and I do have to say there were more pressing matters raised at that meeting - nobody has raised this as a further issue with me. It has not been progressed as a priority. As I said in my answer to the first question, I am assured that people without photo identification can indeed access the services that they need within my department and my remit as Minister for Social Security.