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21/12/2010
ID Cards Scrapped Under First Home Office Bill
ID cards will be scrapped under the Coalition Government's first Home Office Bill to pass through Parliament.
The Identity Documents Bill is due to receive Royal Assent today.
All ID cards will be cancelled within one month of Royal Assent and the National Identity Register, the database which contains the biographic information and biometric fingerprint data of card holders, will be physically destroyed within two months.
Home Office Minister Damian Green said: "The Identity Card Scheme represented the worst of government. It was intrusive, bullying, ineffective and expensive.
"That is why the first Home Office Bill of this Coalition Government has scrapped ID cards and the National Identity Register.
"The Government is committed to scaling back the power of the state and restoring civil liberties. This is just the first step in the process of restoring and maintaining our freedoms."
The Identity Documents Bill invalidates the identity card, meaning that within one month, holders will no longer be able to use them to prove their identity or as a travel document in Europe. Following Royal Assent, a counter will be placed on the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) website counting down the time until cards become invalid.
The Identity Card Scheme and associated work around biometrics has already cost the taxpayer £292 million. It will stop planned future investment in the scheme of £835 million.
All existing cardholders will be notified in writing and the Identity and Passport Service will now inform international border agencies, travel operators and customers of the change in law.
(BMcN/GK)
The Identity Documents Bill is due to receive Royal Assent today.
All ID cards will be cancelled within one month of Royal Assent and the National Identity Register, the database which contains the biographic information and biometric fingerprint data of card holders, will be physically destroyed within two months.
Home Office Minister Damian Green said: "The Identity Card Scheme represented the worst of government. It was intrusive, bullying, ineffective and expensive.
"That is why the first Home Office Bill of this Coalition Government has scrapped ID cards and the National Identity Register.
"The Government is committed to scaling back the power of the state and restoring civil liberties. This is just the first step in the process of restoring and maintaining our freedoms."
The Identity Documents Bill invalidates the identity card, meaning that within one month, holders will no longer be able to use them to prove their identity or as a travel document in Europe. Following Royal Assent, a counter will be placed on the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) website counting down the time until cards become invalid.
The Identity Card Scheme and associated work around biometrics has already cost the taxpayer £292 million. It will stop planned future investment in the scheme of £835 million.
All existing cardholders will be notified in writing and the Identity and Passport Service will now inform international border agencies, travel operators and customers of the change in law.
(BMcN/GK)
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Government to re-introduce ID Cards Bill
The Government’s plan to introduce compulsory identity cards will be attempted for a second time following a trial of the 'biometric' ID card. Under the proposals UK citizens will be charged for the ID card on issue or renewal of a passport - this is likely to more than double in cost to £80.
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Further details of the Government's plans to scrap ID cards have been announced by Home Secretary Theresa May today. The Bill, announced in the Queen's speech, will require the destruction of all personal information gathered from existing cardholders and those currently held in the National Identity Register.
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A stand-alone identity card will cost £30, Home Secretary Charles Clarke has announced. However, a combined passport and ID card is currently estimated to cost £93. Announcing the ID card cost in Parliament, Mr Clarke said: “No-one who wants to protect their identity need pay more.
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Foreign National ID Cards Unveiled
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The design for a new controversial foreign national identity card has been unveiled today by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. The biometric card - which contains a picture, the individual's name and date of birth, nationality and immigration status - will be issued from November by the UK Border Agency.
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