UK: Government delays ID card compulsion

This signals a compromise with the House of Lords on one element of the controversial plan, but people will still be entered on the National Identity Register when they apply for a passport.

Home Office minister Andy Burnham issued a statement on 29 March 2006 saying the government would support an amendment to the Identity Cards Bill tabled by cross bench peer Lord Armstrong. This will ensure that, until 1 January 2010, people will not have to have an identity card when applying for a passport.

The Home Office plans to begin issuing cards to those who are willing to take them during 2008-09. Although they will have the choice of taking a card, their details will be entered on the National Identity Register.

Burnham commented: "I am delighted that we have been able to give our backing to an amendment tabled by the cross bencher Lord Armstrong.

"The amendment preserves the integrity of the National Identity Register by ensuring that everyone who applies for or renews a passport or other designated document has their biometric information and other identity details placed on the register.

"However, it also goes towards meeting the concerns of those who have argued that the card itself should not be compulsory at this stage by allowing those who apply for or renew their passport before 1 January 2010 to 'opt out' of being issued the ID card itself, even though their identity details will be entered onto the register."

Source: Kable's Government Computing
Publication date: 30/03/2006