Identity Cards

What are identity cards?

The UK has traditionally not had a system of identity cards during peacetime, with the idea of officials asking for citizens' papers long seen as something highly alien to Britain.

Identity cards are used for a variety of purposes, but the basic principle underlying them all is that the bearer of the card is responsible for proving that the bearer is who he or she says they are, in order to be allowed to do or receive something.

The growing use of IT in the provision of public services has resulted in vast amounts of data about individuals being retained by the state and its arms, and by the same token has led to the growth of 'identity fraud'.

'Identity fraud' is a generic term describing one person impersonating another in order to obtain some benefit that they are not entitled to, such as social security payments, admission to the country or access to property.

Identity cards are increasingly held up as the answer to identity fraud.


Background

The last time the UK issued compulsory ID cards to citizens was during the second world war, when national registration identity cards were distributed along with ration books. Everyone aged over 16 had to carry their card at all times - failure to do so was a criminal offence. Children's cards had to be kept by their parents or guardians.

It was promised at the time that the scheme would be abolished after the war, but in fact it continued until 1952. The scheme was very unpopular with the public, and was regarded as an alien imposition on the British way of life.

Despite the long-standing opposition of the Labour party to identity cards on civil liberties grounds, the government introduced plans in a 2003 white paper for a voluntary scheme, to be succeeded by a compulsory scheme "if the conditions were right".

A draft bill to this effect was introduced in April 2004. It proposed the voluntary scheme be rolled out in 2007-08 and gradually be expanded to cover 80 per cent of the adult population within five years. The bill was not passed by the time the general election was called in 2005, so it had to be introduced again that autumn.

After months of wrangling, with parts of the legislation going between the House of Commons and the House of Lords several times as they sought to reach agreement, the identity cards bill finally received royal assent in March 2006.

On 25th September 2008 the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, unveiled the first UK identity card, reopening the debate about their necessity.

The plastic wallet cards show the holder’s photograph, name, date of birth, nationality and immigration status. A secure electronic chip holds their biometric details, including fingerprints, and a digital facial image.


Controversies

The controversy about identity cards derives from concern about eroding civil liberties, surveillance of the public by the authorities and a general shift in the balance of power between the state and the individual, who is presumed not to be who they say they are unless they can prove otherwise.

The government put forward a wide range of arguments in favour of identity cards, including the need to combat illegal immigration, benefit fraud and identity fraud, and tackle terrorism.

ID cards would enable employers to avoid breaking the law by hiring staff who are not permitted to work in the UK, supporters argued, while it is widely acknowledged that identity fraud is a serious and growing problem. The Home Office put the cost of fraud at £1.7 billion per year in 2005, most of which was passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices for financial products.

Greater global mobility, brought about by the end of the Cold War and cheaper international travel, has made borders more porous, and EU enlargement has increased this still further. The Home Office argued that an identity card was an important sign of a person's entitlement to live, work and receive benefits in the UK. It also argued that false documents were widely used by terrorists, and facilitated organised crime.

But in the wake of the London bombings of July 2005, home secretary Charles Clarke admitted ID cards would not have stopped the bombers. A report from the London School of Economics (LSE) suggesting the scheme could cost up to £300 per person also raised major concerns. However, the government stood by its estimate of £30 for a stand-alone card, or £93 for an ID card combined with a new biometric passport.

There were also concerns about the range of agencies permitted to access the national ID cards register, and the government's ability to manage such a large IT project. Ministers insisted such a database would have to be created as biometric passports were rolled out, but said the identity cards bill would ensure the details were properly protected.

And although the government maintained the identity cards bill would introduce a voluntary ID scheme, it would make everyone applying for a passport after 2007 also apply for a card. Opposition parties said this was "compulsion by stealth" and contrary to Labour's election manifesto. After months of parliamentary wrangling, the government agreed that people applying for a passport before January 1st 2010 would not be automatically enrolled in the ID card scheme, although their details would be entered on the national register.


Statistics

The first cards are scheduled to be issued 25 November, 2008.
Within three years all foreign nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK will be required to have a card.
By 2014, 90% of foreign residents in Britain should have identity cards.
The introduction of national identity cards for foreign residents will be followed by the first ID cards for British citizens, targeting workers in sensitive roles - such as airports - from 2009.
Then from 2010 ID cards will be available to young people who want them.
From 2011, cards will be available to the general population.

Source: Home Office – September 2008


Quotes

"ID cards will help protect against identity fraud and illegal working, reduce the use of multiple identities in organised crime and terrorism, crack down on those trying to abuse positions of trust, and make it easier for people to prove they are who they say they are.

"ID cards for foreign nationals will replace old-fashioned paper documents, make it easier for employers and sponsors to check entitlement to work and study, and for the UK Border Agency to verify someone’s identity. This will provide identity protection to the many here legally who contribute to the prosperity of the UK, while helping prevent abuse."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, unveiling the first UK identity card – September 2008

"The government are kidding themselves if they think ID Cards for foreign nationals will protect against illegal immigration or terrorism - since they don't apply to those coming here for less than three months.
"ID cards are an expensive white elephant that risk making us less - not more safe. It is high time the government scrapped this ill-fated project."

Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve – September 2008

"To suggest ID cards are somehow connected to immigration policy Jacqui Smith is deliberately engaging in populist bullying of the soft targets – anonymous individuals seeking marriage visas or education – those who have no choice but to keep quiet and comply.
"All resident foreigners is a different matter. When it comes round to fingerprinting Madonna or Kylie, say, such tactics will backfire."

Phil Booth, from the campaign group NO2ID – September 2008

"It does not matter how fancy the design of ID cards is, they remain a grotesque intrusion on the liberty of the British people.
"The government is using vulnerable members of our society, like foreign nationals who do not have the vote, as guinea pigs for a deeply unpopular and unworkable policy.
"When voting adults are forced to carry ID cards, this scheme will prove to be a laminated poll tax."

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Chris Huhne – September 2008