Lack of credit history in later life

Let’s say you are in your late fifties, and for a variety of reasons I won’t go into, you have a fairly low income, but a substantial capital reserve..... live in job-related accommodation, enabling you to let the house you own, which is mortgage-free..... have a spouse who organises the finances and is first-named on all joint things....have always paid whatever you have owed on time, but as time has gone by have had less and less need to borrow.

Then one day you attempt to access the HMRC website, and discover they are unable to verify your identity - despite having a passport and driving licence, and the fact that they know where to find you when they want to send you a tax form.

This is the position my husband finds himself in. I think it would be a good idea for him to reestablish an independent data presence in the world by applying for a credit card he doesn’t need and using it instead of the one on my account. Clear it every month, build a credit history etc.

Is that a good idea? Should he check his credit files first?