{"id":6004,"date":"2026-08-26T09:55:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T09:55:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/digital\/?p=6004"},"modified":"2026-08-26T09:56:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T09:56:19","slug":"scotaccount-supporting-more-people-to-access-digital-public-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/digital\/2026\/08\/26\/scotaccount-supporting-more-people-to-access-digital-public-services\/","title":{"rendered":"ScotAccount: Supporting more people to access digital public services"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blog post by David Duncan-Fraser,\u00a0ScotAccount\u00a0Service Owner.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As more public services move online, making those services accessible to\u00a0as many people\u00a0as possible\u00a0has never been more important. Whether someone is\u00a0registering\u00a0for a service, proving who they are, or accessing support, the experience should be\u00a0inclusive and\u00a0straightforward.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That commitment to digital inclusion\u00a0is\u00a0at the heart of\u00a0<\/span>ScotAccount<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our recent introduction of HM Passport Office (HMPO) verification to ScotAccount gives people an additional secure and trusted way to verify their identity. ScotAccount is helping to reduce barriers that can prevent people from accessing online services by widening the range of verification capabilities we support. This creates a more inclusive experience by recognising that people have different circumstances, different forms of identification, and different levels of digital engagement. A more flexible approach helps ensure that more people can access services in a way that works for them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A step change for younger users<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For younger people,\u00a0proving\u00a0identity online can sometimes be challenging. Traditional digital verification methods often rely on information linked to an established digital footprint,\u00a0such as financial\u00a0activity, and is\u00a0something that many younger users may not have.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Offering\u00a0HMPO verification provides an alternative route, giving users another way to confirm their identity.\u00a0ScotAccount\u00a0can help make digital services more accessible and inclusive for younger people who might otherwise struggle to complete the verification process.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inclusion\u00a0remains\u00a0the priority<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More broadly,\u00a0increasing\u00a0the range of verification\u00a0routes\u00a0helps ensure that digital services work for a wider range of users. It reflects\u00a0ScotAccount’s\u00a0commitment to accessibility\u00a0and\u00a0inclusion,\u00a0recognising\u00a0that no single verification method will meet everyone’s needs.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That’s\u00a0why\u00a0ScotAccount\u00a0continues to expand, giving users greater flexibility while\u00a0maintaining\u00a0high standards\u00a0of security and trust.\u00a0This means continuing to improve\u00a0our\u00a0identity verification,\u00a0<\/span>learning from user experiences<\/span><\/a>, and designing services that take account of\u00a0different needs\u00a0and circumstances.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alongside alternative verification routes,\u00a0further\u00a0digital\u00a0inclusion efforts will\u00a0continue to\u00a0focus on\u00a0ensuring that people are not excluded from accessing services because of barriers to technology,\u00a0confidence\u00a0or capability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Digital inclusion is about more than simply getting people online. It is about designing services around real people and\u00a0recognising\u00a0that different users have\u00a0different needs\u00a0and levels of confidence.\u00a0Listening to users, learning from their\u00a0experiences\u00a0and continuously improving the service are all key parts of that approach.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Opportunities for\u00a0organisations<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For\u00a0organisations\u00a0already using\u00a0ScotAccount\u00a0– and those considering its adoption –\u00a0the introduction of HMPO verification has\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0how expanding identity verification can improve inclusion. We are applying those lessons more widely, exploring how information from official documents can be\u00a0validated\u00a0against authoritative sources to make identity verification simpler,\u00a0and\u00a0more reliable\u00a0to further protect against\u00a0fraud and error.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

ScotAccount can help organisations deliver digital services that are secure, inclusive and centred around the needs of their users. We do this through offering multiple verification routes, trusted data sources and appropriate user support. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why\u00a0this matters<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every\u00a0organisation\u00a0wants its services to be accessible to the widest possible audience.\u00a0ScotAccount\u00a0continues to evolve, improving inclusion while\u00a0maintaining\u00a0high levels\u00a0of trust and security.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For organisations, adopting ScotAccount means they benefit from a growing authentication and verification service for reuse across the public sector. For users, it means more opportunities to access public services securely and confidently. It is how we are supporting public services that are simpler, more accessible and designed around the people who use them. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Get\u00a0involved\u202f<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We invite public sector\u00a0organisations\u00a0in Scotland to\u00a0get in touch with\u00a0us to learn about the benefits of\u00a0ScotAccount. Whether your service is already live or in development, you can see how\u00a0ScotAccount\u00a0works by joining our test environment.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to get started:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n