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Britain id cards a necessity Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/11/uidcard.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/11/11/ixportaltop.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/11/uidcard.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/11/11/ixportaltop.html ID cards 'a necessity', says Blunkett (Filed: 11/11/2003) David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has unveiled plans for a new national identity card with his most forceful argument yet in favour of the scheme. Under the proposals, the new cards will be held by everyone in Britain by 2013 and will be based on existing passports and possibly on driving licences in a £3 billion project. A normal passport currently costs £42, the new combined passport and identity card will cost £77. However, they would be free to under-16s, people on low incomes would be charged a reduced rate and the elderly would be offered lifelong versions. Other proposals being considered is that it may be possible to pay in installments, or cards will have to be renewed every five years, rather than every 10 as at present, at a lower cost. Mr Blunkett said: "For a long time, we have relied on minimal internal controls and strong external borders - this is no longer enough. An ID card is not a luxury or a whim - it is a necessity." "I know some people believe there is a sinister motive behind the cards; that they will be part of a Big Brother state. This is wrong. "Only basic information will be held on the ID card database - such as your name, address, birthday and sex. It will not have details of religion, political beliefs, marital status or your health records." Mr Blunkett said the scheme would include "biometric" details such as fingerprints or an image of the eye, stored on a microchip in each card. They will have to be produced to see a doctor, get a job and claim benefits and checked against a National Identity Register. Ministers were unable to pinpoint the cost of buying and installing electronic machines to "read" the electronic data on the cards. A reader would only be necessary for biometric information, for most checks a telephone call will be enough. Mr Blunkett said: "An ID card scheme will help tackle the crime and serious issues facing the UK, particularly illegal working, immigration abuse, ID fraud, terrorism and organised crime. "What we know the public want, which is what we are now proposing, is a scheme that can provide them with a secure and convenient way of confirming their identity, to protect it from theft, tackle terrorism and organised crime and ensure free public services only go to those entitled to them." Home Office minister Beverley Hughes said that biometrics will have to be introduced in passports because they are being demanded by the EU and the US. The Passport Service is begin a pilot to capture biometric details of 10,000 volunteers. All EU and foreign nationals coming into Britain will have to pay for a biometric residence permit under the plans.

Bill prompts new national ID card fears { February 9 2005 } Blair wins national ID card vote Britain id cards a necessity British id cards wwii { December 7 1950 } Brits might join US with world id Bush national ID planned blocked and delayed { February 25 2007 } Congress recommends national id Congress to federalize drivers licenses { May 3 2005 } Global id Gop immigration bill wants national id card Governors complain of new drivers license costs { July 18 2005 } Hr4633 Idcard scalia Japan id National id card quietly added to house legislation National id New vic terrorism id card { October 23 2003 } Privacy issues Queen speech pave way for id cards { November 7 2003 } Files Listed: 19

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