Royal Mail has launched its new online identity verification service in conjunction with the government's GOV.UK Verify platform.

This service is free and will allow users to prove their identity online in order to access and view government services, reports Post and Parcel.

Some of the services include viewing driving licence information, retrieving a pension statement and applying for Universal Credit.

Working with GOV.UK, Royal Mail will be verifying the identities of users through their personal information, such as their name, gender, address and date of birth.

In order to safely handle sensitive information, those using the service will also be asked to provide a passport or driving licence number.

Further checks may be needed, according to the information that the user is looking to access.

So far, over 470,000 user identities have been verified through GOV.UK and it's expected that over ten million people will use the system over the coming years.

Royal Mail has long been supporting its customers with data-driven services, including helping people move house.

Speaking on this, Jim Conning, managing director of Royal Mail Data Services, said: "Royal Mail's new certified identity service is part of our strategy to innovate and introduce new platforms where we can grow, while maintaining our leading positive in the letters and parcels markets."