Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is setting out a revised timetable for the roll-out of identity cards in the UK.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is setting out a revised timetable for the roll-out of identity cards in the UK.
Non-EU migrants will have to get cards from later this year, airport baggage handlers from 2009 and - from 2010 - students will be offered ID cards.
Non-EU migrants will have to get cards from later this year, airport baggage handlers from 2009 and - from 2010 - students will be offered ID cards.
She also suggests the wider population may not have to get ID cards at all and could opt to use biometric passports to prove who they are instead.
She also suggests the wider population may not have to get ID cards at all and could opt to use biometric passports to prove who they are instead.
Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are opposed to ID cards.
Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are opposed to ID cards.
Ms Smith, in a speech later, will say that the first Britons to get the ID cards will be those working airside in Britain's airports, such as baggage handlers and cabin crew.
Ms Smith, in a speech later, will say that the first Britons to get the ID cards will be those working airside in Britain's airports, such as baggage handlers and cabin crew.
She will also announce a rollout to students - with the thinking being that they will be the most willing to accept them as they could help students do things such as open bank accounts.
She will also announce a rollout to students - with the thinking being that they will be the most willing to accept them as they could help students do things such as open bank accounts.
Fingerprint tells all
Fingerprint tells all
Ms Smith also said, ahead of the speech, that from 2011 - later than planned - people would have to give their biometric details when renewing their passports.
Ms Smith also said, ahead of the speech, that from 2011 - later than planned - people would have to give their biometric details when renewing their passports.
The plan had been that everyone getting a passport would have to get an identity card from 2010, but Ms Smith says that people will instead have the choice to use the biometric passport as their identity document instead.
The plan had been that everyone getting a passport would have to get an identity card from 2010, but Ms Smith says that people will instead have the choice to use the biometric passport as their identity document instead.
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.
'Dangerous core'
'Dangerous core'
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 said: "The government may have removed the highly visible element but they have still left the dangerous core of this project.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "The government may have removed the highly visible element but they have still left the dangerous core of this project.
"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.
"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.
"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."
Are you an airport worker or a student? How do you feel about carrying an identity card? Send us your comments using the post form below:
Are you an airport worker or a student? Are you a non-EU migrant in the UK? How do you feel about carrying an identity card? Send us your comments using the post form below:
