UK gov pays public £550 to discuss Digital ID – then bans journalists from the room

Nothing says 'We want honest opinions' like a 36,000-letter mailshot with no awkward questions allowed

Members of the UK government’s People’s Panel on Digital ID will spend two weekends in Birmingham and three evenings on Zoom discussing how Britain should build a national digital identity system, earning £550 plus expenses for their trouble.

Invitations have gone out to 36,000 UK addresses asking recipients to weigh in on the question: "How should we design a Digital ID system for the UK?" – a framing that, as worded, rather forecloses the answer "Don't bother."

Those selected will attend in-person workshops in central Birmingham from 9.30am to 5pm across the weekends of 30 to 31 May and 20 to 21 June, plus three weekday evening sessions on Zoom from 6-9pm, beginning Thursday 21 May. The letter, seen by The Register, does not include the address of the Birmingham venue.

Around 100 to 120 participants are being chosen from volunteers to represent a cross-section of the UK population. They'll hear from "engaging speakers, including experts and ministers in charge of implementing this policy," then break into facilitated groups. The panel will ultimately produce recommendations for government ministers.

"You don't need to know anything about this topic to take part," writes chief secretary to the prime minister Darren Jones in the letter.

"You just need to be willing to listen to the information presented, and share your honest opinions with us and the other people taking part. We want to hear from a mix of people, including those who might feel positively and negatively about this proposal. We want to hear from a wide range of people from across the UK, so if your household has received this letter then you are the right person to take part!"

The notes add that elected representatives, those working for political parties, the staff and close relatives of MPs, journalists, and those working for media organizations are barred from taking part.

Applicants will hear this week if they have been chosen. Those who then take part in all seven sessions will receive £550 in cash, vouchers or a combination of both, with the letter pointing out that "cash payments may affect your tax position or benefit entitlement."

The government will also pay for meals, flights or train tickets, hotel accommodation and childcare or other care costs.

The government has previously said it expects to spend around £630,000 on the People's Panel, which is being run by the Sortition Foundation, a UK-based social enterprise, and pollster Ipsos.