A pilot scheme launches next month in the UK for next generation
passports, which will contain biometric information. The trial will
give the Government an idea of the costs and difficulties to expect
when introducing national ID cards.
The Government said last month that it was drafting legislation
to create a UK identity card scheme. These are intended to store
basic personal information (such as name, age, nationality, whether
a person has a right to work and a unique identifier), a digital
photo, and a biometric, which could include facial recognition,
iris scans or fingerprints.
It proposes linking the cards to a national secure database to
which many services "public and private" would have limited
access to verify identity.
For most UK citizens, the card will take the form of a biometric
passport, the groundwork for which is already underway so that the
UK can meet tough international security requirements (particularly
those relating to entry into the US). These passports are due to
start being issued from 2005, and will replace older passports as
they are renewed. Biometric driving licenses are also proposed.
The Government anticipates that 80% of the UK's adult population
would have an ID card by 2013 if passports and driving licences are
issued on the proposed biometric basis. The card would become
compulsory thereafter for all UK residents, but only after a
decision by the Cabinet and a vote in Parliament.
As part of the preparation for the biometric passport, the
Government is launching a six-month trial of the technology,
beginning in January. This will be run by the UK's Passport
Service, and will help authorities understand how biometrics will
work, what the card scheme will cost, and how people will
react.
Ten thousand volunteers from all sections of society will be
recruited by pollsters Mori to take part in the scheme.
In announcing the trial, Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes
said:
"We are building the foundations for a
compulsory national identity card scheme, and are moving ahead with
the development and testing of this cutting-edge technology."
She added:
"By using biometric data, linked to a
national database, we can provide a modern, secure means of
confirming identity, helping us to crack down on identity fraud,
immigration abuse, illegal working and organised crime. We will
also be in a much better position to ensure that our free public
services are only used by those who are actually entitled to
them."
Human rights group Liberty immediately attacked her comments.
The group's director, Shami Chakrabarti, said:
"At least Beverley Hughes has had the
honesty to admit there will be nothing voluntary about this scheme.
No-one can now be in any doubt that what is being proposed is a
compulsory national identity card. To obtain a biometric passport
one must first prove identity using existing documentation.
Criminals will obtain a passport with a false name but a 'genuine'
iris scan. Rather than tackle identity fraud this scheme will help
legitimise it."
