News In Focus
1 July 2009
Government retreats over identity cards
Home Secretary Alan Johnson has shelved plans for the introduction of compulsory ID cards for UK citizens, dealing a major blow to the Government’s £4.9bn national identity scheme.
Mr Johnson also said that pilots and airside workers at Manchester and London City airports would no longer be forced to carry ID cards in a planned test scheme, after unions objected to their introduction.
Foreign nationals who live in the UK will however still be required to carry them.
The Home Office confirmed that a contract for the production of the cards, which will now only be offered on a voluntary basis, was being delayed until 2011 or 2012.
Charles Clarke and Jacqui Smith, two former home secretaries, had said they expected to reach a “tipping point” of 80% of British people using ID cards by 2018, at which point their use would have been made compulsory by law. However, when asked on Tuesday whether that was still the case, Mr Johnson stated a categoric “no”.
Mr Johnson said he remained convinced that the cards offered “significant benefits”, and announced plans to extended the voluntary ID card scheme taking place in Manchester to the rest of the north west.
He said it would be useful for young people to provide proof of age and for tackling antisocial behaviour.