British national identity card

After many years of discussion through successive governments, in 2003 then British Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that the government intends to introduce a British national identity card linked to a national identity database, the National Identity Register, which will track all residents of the UK throughout their lives. This database is planned to perform a key role in the delivery of Government services over the Internet in the future http://www.strategy.gov.uk/downloads/work_areas/digital_strategy/report/digstrat_04.htm#Action3.

Related Topics:
2003 - British - Home Secretary - David Blunkett - Identity card - Database - Resident

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The cards and database will record biometric data, including fingerprints, digitised facial scan & iris scan. It is expected that by 2013 up to 80% of the working population will have some kind of biometric identity document, with the cards becoming compulsory then.

Related Topics:
Biometric - 2013

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Although the focus of the proposal is on the identity cards themselves, not least in the title of the Bill, it is the National Identity Register database that is the key component. Due to the data stored on the Register, cards will not be essential to establish identity, since all that will be required will be to submit to a biometric scan.

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It has been reported in the Republic of Ireland that the introduction of the card in the United Kingdom may lead to a similar Irish scheme. The details were announced after the London bombings. The Irish Government confirmed that discussions with British counterparts have been ongoing for some time. The main motivation of this is the Common Travel Area and proximity of Northern Ireland.

Related Topics:
Republic of Ireland - Irish Government - Common Travel Area - Northern Ireland

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In July 2005 the UK indicated that it would use its European Union Presidency (July-December 2005) to develop moves towards a Europe-wide biometric ID scheme.http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/13/uk_eu_id_proposal/

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