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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| ID cards 'not being scrapped' | ID cards 'not being scrapped' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The government will press ahead with plans to introduce compulsory ID cards for all Britons, say ministers. | The government will press ahead with plans to introduce compulsory ID cards for all Britons, say ministers. |
| The Sunday Mirror has reported that PM Gordon Brown will shelve plans for compulsory ID cards for British nationals "indefinitely". | The Sunday Mirror has reported that PM Gordon Brown will shelve plans for compulsory ID cards for British nationals "indefinitely". |
| But Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain said it was "not true" that the scheme had been put on the backburner. | But Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain said it was "not true" that the scheme had been put on the backburner. |
| The controversial £5.3bn scheme will require all foreign nationals to carry biometric ID cards from 2008. | The controversial £5.3bn scheme will require all foreign nationals to carry biometric ID cards from 2008. |
| The Sunday Mirror reported that the plans to introduce the cards for Britons from 2010 will be "shelved indefinitely" because Mr Brown has been advised ID cards for all will inevitably be challenged in the courts and he does not want to be tied up in litigation. | The Sunday Mirror reported that the plans to introduce the cards for Britons from 2010 will be "shelved indefinitely" because Mr Brown has been advised ID cards for all will inevitably be challenged in the courts and he does not want to be tied up in litigation. |
| Instead he will concentrate on improving existing anti-terrorism laws and on new measures to be unveiled in the Queen's Speech on Tuesday, the newspaper reported. | |
| Asked whether the scheme had been put on the backburner, Mr Hain told the BBC: "That's not true." | Asked whether the scheme had been put on the backburner, Mr Hain told the BBC: "That's not true." |
| As far as I am aware universal ID cards remain on the agenda Tony McNultyHome Office | As far as I am aware universal ID cards remain on the agenda Tony McNultyHome Office |
| He emphasised that Immigration Minister Liam Byrne was recently discussing requirements for foreign nationals to have biometric ID cards "which means we will be absolutely certain they are who they say they are." | He emphasised that Immigration Minister Liam Byrne was recently discussing requirements for foreign nationals to have biometric ID cards "which means we will be absolutely certain they are who they say they are." |
| And Home Office minister Tony McNulty said: "As far as I am aware universal ID cards remain on the agenda". | And Home Office minister Tony McNulty said: "As far as I am aware universal ID cards remain on the agenda". |
| Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have opposed the scheme, questioning whether it is worth the money and arguing it will damage civil liberties. | Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have opposed the scheme, questioning whether it is worth the money and arguing it will damage civil liberties. |
| The Tories say they would scrap it and use the money to finance a dedicated border police force. | The Tories say they would scrap it and use the money to finance a dedicated border police force. |
| The government says ID cards are needed to help control immigration and to combat identity fraud and other forms of crime. | The government says ID cards are needed to help control immigration and to combat identity fraud and other forms of crime. |
| Mr McNulty, formerly immigration minister, was asked on Sky News whether the government was committed to the same timetable laid down by former PM Tony Blair - that everyone applying to renew a passport from 2010 would also have to get an ID card. | Mr McNulty, formerly immigration minister, was asked on Sky News whether the government was committed to the same timetable laid down by former PM Tony Blair - that everyone applying to renew a passport from 2010 would also have to get an ID card. |
| He replied: "As I understand it we will roll it out with foreign nationals first, as indicated. | He replied: "As I understand it we will roll it out with foreign nationals first, as indicated. |
| "Those seeking asylum already have them in an early form and that will be developed and the thing as I understand it rolls out as planned." | "Those seeking asylum already have them in an early form and that will be developed and the thing as I understand it rolls out as planned." |