Non-EU migrants, baggage handlers and students will be the first to receive identity cards, the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will announce later.
Non-EU migrants, baggage handlers and students will be the first to receive identity cards, the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will announce later.
Ms Smith will tell the Commons that foreign national workers from outside the European Union will be the first to be issued with cards this year.
Ms Smith will tell the Commons that foreign national workers from outside the European Union will be the first to be issued with cards this year.
In 2009, cards will be issued to up to 100,000 airport workers, while in 2010, students will be offered them.
In 2009, cards will be issued to up to 100,000 airport workers, while in 2010, students will be offered them.
Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are opposed to ID cards.
Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are opposed to ID cards.
Receptive minds
Receptive minds
The cards will be compulsory for foreign nationals and those working airside in Britain's airports, such as baggage handlers and cabin crew.
The cards will be compulsory for foreign nationals and those working airside in Britain's airports, such as baggage handlers and cabin crew.
The rollout to students, is, according to BBC political reporter Norman Smith, part of a government strategy to offer cards to those most willing to accept them.
The rollout to students, is, according to BBC political reporter Norman Smith, part of a government strategy to offer cards to those most willing to accept them.
He says the thinking is that younger people will be more receptive to carry ID cards, because they will make it easier to open a bank account.
He says the thinking is that younger people will be more receptive to carry ID cards, because they will make it easier to open a bank account.
One suggestion is that they could be used instead of a passport for travel within the European Union. Such a scheme already exists for most other EU citizens.
One suggestion is that they could be used instead of a passport for travel within the European Union. Such a scheme already exists for most other EU citizens.
Fingerprint tells all
Fingerprint tells all
The government's plans for ID cards, linking personal data to a fingerprint, have been plagued by technical delays, budget overspend and political controversy.
The government's plans for ID cards, linking personal data to a fingerprint, have been plagued by technical delays, budget overspend and political controversy.
The government claims identity cards will boost security, tackle identity fraud and prevent illegal immigration.
The government claims identity cards will boost security, tackle identity fraud and prevent illegal immigration.
Critics oppose the cards on cost, effectiveness and civil liberty grounds.
Critics oppose the cards on cost, effectiveness and civil liberty grounds.
Government sources have suggested that the next groups to be offered ID cards will be those working in sensitive roles or locations.
Government sources have suggested that the next groups to be offered ID cards will be those working in sensitive roles or locations.
It is thought these could include people not just with security related jobs, but also those involved in caring for children.
It is thought these could include people not just with security related jobs, but also those involved in caring for children.
But some security experts stress that those convicted of terrorism in recent years were never involved with identity fraud.
But some security experts stress that those convicted of terrorism in recent years were never involved with identity fraud.
The national identity register will be a severe threat to our security and a real target for criminals, hackers and terrorists Shadow home secretary David Davis
The national identity register will be a severe threat to our security and a real target for criminals, hackers and terrorists Shadow home secretary David Davis
Prime Minister Gordon Brown hinted earlier this year that the scheme may not be compulsory for UK nationals but suggestions of a U-turn were denied.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown hinted earlier this year that the scheme may not be compulsory for UK nationals but suggestions of a U-turn were denied.
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett, who introduced the initial identity card scheme, has previously said it would not work unless everyone had to have a card.
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett, who introduced the initial identity card scheme, has previously said it would not work unless everyone had to have a card.
Shadow home secretary David Davis expressed concern about having an identity card database.
Shadow home secretary David Davis expressed concern about having an identity card database.
"The national identity register, which will contain dozens of personal details of every adult in this country in one place, will be a severe threat to our security and a real target for criminals, hackers and terrorists," he said.
"The national identity register, which will contain dozens of personal details of every adult in this country in one place, will be a severe threat to our security and a real target for criminals, hackers and terrorists," he said.
"This is before you take the government's legendary inability to handle people's data securely into account."
"This is before you take the government's legendary inability to handle people's data securely into account."
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