Blunkett unveils ID card plans

Tuesday, 11 November 2003 12:00 AM

Home secretary David Blunkett has told MPs that all UK citizens will have to carry some form of ID card by 2013.

He said the new scheme would be introduced step by step, starting with establishing a database and introducing new technology in passports and driving licences

The cards would electronically store the holder's fingerprints, photograph and an image of their eye.

The £3 billion project will be based on existing passports, and possibly driving licences.

The cost of a new passport, which will include biometric details such as fingerprints and eye recognition, would rise to £77 from £42.

He told the House of Commons: "The Government has decided to begin the process of building a base for a national compulsory identity card scheme."

However, the home secretary stressed that only "basic information" would be held on ID cards and the national database.

"It will not have details of religion, political beliefs, marital status or your health records," he stated.
Under the plans people wanting to use the NHS, claim benefits and get a job would need to produce a valid card.

New Tory shadow home secretary David Davis said the timescale for the introduction of the cards was a "10-year deferral" forced by cabinet opposition to compulsory cards.

Mr Blunkett insists that compulsory ID cards are vital to tackle benefit abuse, terrorism and illegal immigration.

He has admitted that there are cabinet divisions over the scheme but insisted that the majority of members of the public support such a card.

Although prime minister Tony Blair and Britain's most senior police officer, Sir John Stevens, have voiced their support, several cabinet ministers are believed to be strongly opposed to the introduction of compulsory cards, both on grounds of cost and civil liberties.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten has accused the Home Office of manipulating a consultation on ID cards, by excluding 5,000 unfavourable responses.

"This allowed the Government to claim the public response was 2:1 in favour of the proposals when in fact it was heavily against," a Liberal Democrat spokesman alleged.

Some steps towards setting up an ID scheme are expected to be included in a draft Bill in the Queen's Speech later this month and may include the creation of a national database.

Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal already have national identity card schemes.

Tags: