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25/05/2005
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.
The Conservatives say they will oppose the introduction of ID cards and that there were serious doubts among Labour MPs over the scheme.
Backing the Bill, Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "The abuse of identity actually costs this country billions of pounds a year."
The Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, is also reported to be considering strengthening the powers of a compulsory card commissioner to oversee the scheme. The Liberal Democrats are also set to oppose the plans.
Mr Clarke has offered to meet critics to discuss their concerns, and believes that it is critically important that the issues of identity fraud should be tackled.
The Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, has indicated that he will oppose a measure which he regards as both impractical and expensive.
The Home Office has estimated that ID theft costs approximately £1.3bn a year in the UK.
Mark Oaten, the Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman, urged Conservatives to join forces with the Lib Dems and Labour rebels to defeat the proposals.
The Home Office said citizens will be able to apply for a stand-alone ID card without a passport, but confirmed it will not be possible to apply for a passport without an ID card.
The last time the Government attempted to get the Identity Card Bill passed there was a marathon stand-off in Parliament. Facing amendments the Bill failed to get through when Labour rebels refused to back the proposal.
(CD/SP)
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.
The Conservatives say they will oppose the introduction of ID cards and that there were serious doubts among Labour MPs over the scheme.
Backing the Bill, Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "The abuse of identity actually costs this country billions of pounds a year."
The Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, is also reported to be considering strengthening the powers of a compulsory card commissioner to oversee the scheme. The Liberal Democrats are also set to oppose the plans.
Mr Clarke has offered to meet critics to discuss their concerns, and believes that it is critically important that the issues of identity fraud should be tackled.
The Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, has indicated that he will oppose a measure which he regards as both impractical and expensive.
The Home Office has estimated that ID theft costs approximately £1.3bn a year in the UK.
Mark Oaten, the Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman, urged Conservatives to join forces with the Lib Dems and Labour rebels to defeat the proposals.
The Home Office said citizens will be able to apply for a stand-alone ID card without a passport, but confirmed it will not be possible to apply for a passport without an ID card.
The last time the Government attempted to get the Identity Card Bill passed there was a marathon stand-off in Parliament. Facing amendments the Bill failed to get through when Labour rebels refused to back the proposal.
(CD/SP)
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21 December 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.
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.
25 September 2008
Foreign National ID Cards Unveiled
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.
Foreign National ID Cards Unveiled
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.
27 May 2010
ID Cards To Be Scrapped
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.
ID Cards To Be Scrapped
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.
14 October 2005
ID cards to cost £30
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.
ID cards to cost £30
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.
29 June 2005
ID cards bill survives Commons vote
The government’s controversial Identity Cards Bill has survived a House of Commons vote, in spite of a rebellion by some Labour backbenchers. Folowing the close vote Tony Blair said that he was prepared to "listen to concerns" about the ID card issue.
ID cards bill survives Commons vote
The government’s controversial Identity Cards Bill has survived a House of Commons vote, in spite of a rebellion by some Labour backbenchers. Folowing the close vote Tony Blair said that he was prepared to "listen to concerns" about the ID card issue.
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