HMRC to replace Government Gateway accounts with One Login

HMRC to replace Government Gateway accounts with One Login

The government is investing millions of pounds in a single login system for taxpayers and agents using online services with the launch of GOV.UK One Login.

The new login service which will have two factor authentication and will be rolled out across all government web services will replace Government Gateway accounts over the next three years.

In future, users will only need a single login to access all central government services, rather than remembering multiple accounts and passwords. Gradually, over time, One Login will replace all existing login and identity checking platforms across central government. Government Gateway is over 20 years old and was first introduced in January 2001. 

In a bid to prevent fraud, One Login includes two factor authentication, which requires users to set up their account with a code used in addition to the password, for secure logging in.

GOV.UK One Login will improve digital inclusion by offering multiple ways for people to prove their identity – including those without photo documentation (like a passport or driving licence) – and access government services online, the Cabinet Office confirmed.

In a statement, HMRC said: ‘From Spring 2024, HMRC will begin to invite individual customers without existing HMRC online sign-in details to create a GOV.UK One Login account. There will then be a gradual migration of existing Government Gateway customers starting with very small and controlled numbers…..’

It is important to note that HMRC will contact individual taxpayers to advise them to migrate and until you are contacted you should continue as usual.

The scheme is projected to deliver at least £700m of benefits by April 2026, the Cabinet Office said.

Once the system is fully operational, the full range of HMRC and wider government services will be available online through the single login, including income tax, student loans, and Universal Credit, which are currently available through Government Gateway.

There will be a new authorisation and identity verification process to sign up to the One Login, which means you will need to have some identification documents such as a passport or driving licence to complete the application. 

Users will have to input an email address and include the preferred method to get security codes, either via a mobile number or an authenticator app.

Once you start the registration process, HMRC first checks your email address by sending a six-digit security code to verify the email.

Once an account is created, the system will send security codes to verify identity via text message or authenticator app for mobiles, tablets or computers. Then users can access their account.

There are currently around 190 different ways for people to set up accounts and 44 different sign-in methods, the Cabinet Office said, wasting people’s time and costing the taxpayer money as departments have to pay to maintain duplicate login and identity services. Slimming this down into a single platform for logging in and accessing gov.uk services will save over £700m as well as people’s time and effort.