National ID system on the cards
23 Nov 04
Queen's speech announces raft of bills to combat terrorism and crime
The Queen outlined a raft of new proposals to combat terrorism in her speech to Parliament today, including plans to introduce identity cards.
If the bill is successful it will be the first national ID system since the Second World War.
In her address she said: “My Government recognises that we live in a time of global uncertainty with an increased threat from international terrorism and organised crime.
“Measures to extend opportunity will be accompanied by legislation to increase security for all.”
A new agency, which will incorporate the functions of the UK passport service, will begin issuing ID cards from 2008.
A draft Counter-Terrorism Bill was also announced. It is eventually expected to include provisions such as no-jury terrorism trials and the use of phone-tapping evidence in court.
Further help in the battle against crime will come from a British version of the FBI, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, which will be established to crack down on drug gangs, people traffickers, major fraudsters and internet paedophiles.
Consumer credit law will also be updated to provide greater protection for consumers from unfair lending practices and create a fairer and more competitive credit market.
Other measures include extending child benefit to those aged up to 19 in further education, further reform to the law on disability discrimination and an extension of protection against discrimination on grounds of religious faith.