This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7203740.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Britons' ID cards 'to be delayed' | Britons' ID cards 'to be delayed' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Plans for a wider roll-out of identity cards to British nationals appear to have been delayed for two years. | Plans for a wider roll-out of identity cards to British nationals appear to have been delayed for two years. |
| Foreign nationals will have ID cards this year and it was intended to introduce them in "significant volumes" for UK citizens from 2010. | 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". |
| The timetable for ID cards to start being given to UK citizens over 16 has already slipped and the first ones are not expected to start being issued until next year. | |
| From January 2010 everyone getting a passport will have to get an identity card as well, according to existing plans. | |
| Biometric cards | Biometric cards |
| When he was prime minister, Tony Blair said that legislation to make it compulsory for all Britons to get an ID card - not just those getting a passport - would form a "major plank" of Labour's next election manifesto. | When he was prime minister, Tony Blair said that legislation to make it compulsory for all Britons to get an ID card - not just those getting a passport - would form a "major plank" of Labour's next election manifesto. |
| But the scheme has met fierce criticism from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on cost, effectiveness and civil liberties grounds. | But the scheme has met fierce criticism from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on cost, effectiveness and civil liberties grounds. |
| They have also come under fire from experts, including Professor John Salt, of University College, London, who has advised the government on migration trends. | |
| Asked by a House of Lords Committee on Tuesday if ID cards would help curb illegal immigration, Professor Salt said: "No, if they are capable of being forged - and that is probably likely to happen." | |
| 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 | 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. |
| 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" wider roll-out to all UK citizens will not begin until 2012, the document says. | But the "Borders Phase II" wider roll-out to all UK citizens will not begin until 2012, the document says. |
| 'Reality intruding' | 'Reality intruding' |
| 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." | 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." |
| "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." | "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." |
| We have always said that the scheme will be rolled out incrementally Identity and Passport Service spokesman | We have always said that the scheme will be rolled out incrementally Identity and Passport Service spokesman |
| 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. |
| Fresh questions about the identity card scheme have been raised by the loss in recent months by government of data held on CDs and laptops relating to millions of people. | Fresh questions about the identity card scheme have been raised by the loss in recent months by government of data held on CDs and laptops relating to millions of people. |
| A spokesman for the Identity and Passport Service said they would not comment on leaked documents. | A spokesman for the Identity and Passport Service said they would not comment on leaked documents. |
| Fingerprints | Fingerprints |
| But he added: "We have always said that the scheme will be rolled out incrementally. | But 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. |
| Home Office minister Tony McNulty told the BBC on Wednesday that he would not comment on leaked documents but "the identity card strategy remains in place". | Home Office minister Tony McNulty told the BBC on Wednesday that he would not comment on leaked documents but "the identity card strategy remains in place". |