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Britons' ID cards 'to be delayed' Britons' ID cards 'to be delayed'
(30 minutes later)
Plans for a wider rollout of identity cards to British nationals appear to have been delayed for three years. Plans for a wider rollout of identity cards to British nationals appear to have been delayed for two years.
ID cards will be introduced for foreign nationals this year and "Phase II" of the scheme to introduce them for UK citizens was due to start in 2009. Foreign nationals will have ID cards this year and it was intended to introduce them in "significant volumes" for UK citizens from 2010.
But documents leaked to the Tories suggest it has been put back to 2012.But documents leaked to the Tories suggest it has been put back to 2012.
The Tories say the ID card scheme is "in the intensive care ward" but the government said the plan had always been to introduce them "incrementally".The Tories say the ID card scheme is "in the intensive care ward" but the government said the plan had always been to introduce them "incrementally".
When he was prime minister, Tony Blair promised to legislate to make it compulsory for all Britons to have - but not to carry - an ID card.When he was prime minister, Tony Blair promised to legislate to make it compulsory for all Britons to have - but not to carry - an ID card.
Biometric cardsBiometric cards
But the £5.6bn scheme has met fierce criticism from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on cost, effectiveness and civil liberties grounds.But the £5.6bn scheme has met fierce criticism from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on cost, effectiveness and civil liberties grounds.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said he would take part in a campaign of civil disobedience if legislation is passed.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has said he would take part in a campaign of civil disobedience if legislation is passed.
Home Office documents leaked to the Conservatives set out an illustrated timeline for introducing biometric ID cards.Home Office documents leaked to the Conservatives set out an illustrated timeline for introducing biometric ID cards.
I think the reality is just beginning to bite ministers on this Damian GreenShadow immigration minister
It includes the "Borders Phase I" introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals, which will begin later this year.It includes the "Borders Phase I" introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals, which will begin later this year.
We have always said that the scheme will be rolled out incrementally Identity and Passport Service spokesman
Then it indicates that people in positions of trust - like security guards - will be issued with cards in 2009.Then it indicates that people in positions of trust - like security guards - will be issued with cards in 2009.
But the "Borders Phase II" rollout to all UK citizens will not begin until 2012, the document says. But the "Borders Phase II" wider rollout to all UK citizens will not begin until 2012, the document says.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "The government's ID card scheme is clearly in the intensive care ward." 'Reality intruding'
Check identities BBC political correspondent James Landale said the implication was the controversial issue had been "kicked well into the long grass", beyond the next general election.
An Identity and Passport Service spokesman replied: "We do not comment on leaked documents." Shadow immigration minister Damian Green told the BBC: "It's clear that there are enormous practical difficulties in putting 50 different pieces of personal information including addresses of 60 million British citizens plus lots of foreigners into a single database.
We have always said that the scheme will be rolled out incrementally Identity and Passport Service spokesman
"I think the reality is just beginning to bite ministers on this, so this delay is the first sign of reality intruding, let's hope there are more to come."
But an Identity and Passport Service spokesman replied: "We do not comment on leaked documents."
He added: "We have always said that the scheme will be rolled out incrementally.He added: "We have always said that the scheme will be rolled out incrementally.
"As stated in the Strategic Plan for the National Identity Scheme published in December 2006, we will begin issuing ID cards for foreign nationals this year, and the first ID cards for British citizens in 2009.""As stated in the Strategic Plan for the National Identity Scheme published in December 2006, we will begin issuing ID cards for foreign nationals this year, and the first ID cards for British citizens in 2009."
He said they would make it easier for businesses and government to check identities "securely, conveniently and efficiently".He said they would make it easier for businesses and government to check identities "securely, conveniently and efficiently".
But he said the date for introducing cards with fingerprints "in line with international developments in passport security" was "under consideration" and further announcements would be made in due course.But he said the date for introducing cards with fingerprints "in line with international developments in passport security" was "under consideration" and further announcements would be made in due course.
There have been reports that Gordon Brown had cooled on the idea of compulsory ID cards for UK citizens - saying it was only an "option" that would be the subject of a Parliamentary vote. There have been reports that Gordon Brown had cooled on the idea of compulsory ID cards for UK citizens, saying it was only an "option" that would be the subject of a Parliamentary vote.
Last week immigration minister Liam Byrne said the government remained enthusiastic about ID cards.Last week immigration minister Liam Byrne said the government remained enthusiastic about ID cards.