Government Gateway

The Government Gateway is an IT system developed to allow applicants to register for online services provided by the UK Government, such as obtaining a driving licence and HMRC self-assessment. This replaced the old system of paper submissions.

The system was set up by the Office of the e-Envoy and allows users to register as either an individual, an organisation or an agent. Its security credentials are accredited by CESG (formerly Communications-Electronics Security Group) within GCHQ.

History
Government Gateway was launched on 25 January 2001, initially being used by services from HM Customs and Excise and for applications through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food for common agricultural policy aid schemes, in addition to Inland Revenue end-of-year transactions.

Procurement of the service was commenced with an Official Journal of the European Union contract notice published in October 2005, following which a contract for the design, development and operation of the service was to Atos Origin in September 2006. After supplier shortlisting, Atos Origin were the only company who maintained their interest in supplying the system: other companies who had been invited to negotiate withdrew their bids early in 2006.

Services on the Government Gateway were meant to be gradually moved to replacement systems, including GOV.UK Verify. The move was meant to be complete by March 2019.

Following reports of conflict between HMRC and the Government Digital Service (GDS), HMRC has been developing its own service which allows users to sign in using an existing Government Gateway user ID.

HMRC will begin migration from the Government Gateway to the One Login For Government, a new system being developed by GDS, during 2023.