Draft Identity Card Bill

"My Government will take forward work on an incremental approach to a national identity cards scheme and will publish a draft Bill in the new year."

In November 2003, David Blunkett announced the publication of Identity Cards: The next steps, a plan of action for how to introduce the cards.

Due to the scheme's controversial nature the government has agreed to publish the Bill in draft form for pre-legislative scrutiny.

The claimed benefits of an identity card are that it would provide a more effective way to access public services; combat illegal immigration and illegal working; and tackle identity fraud priced at £1.3 billion a year.

Under the current proposals no one would be initially forced to carry the card but they would have to register for a new look passport priced at £77 or a drivers' licence containing biometric data, or else register for a separate ID card.

The decision on whether to make it compulsory to carry an identity card is being left until later but as the Queen's Speech was made, the government said the draft Bill would "build a base for a compulsory scheme."

Proposals announced at the time of the Queen's Speech include measures to create new criminal offences around the misuse of ID cards, and enabling powers so access to public services could be linked to production of a card.

Measures may also be introduced against failure to register.

The national identity card scheme has been pioneered by David Blunkett and is supported by Tony Blair. However, support in cabinet is not unanimous.

Blunkett has been keen on the idea for some time. At the launch of the initial consultation, in July 2002, he said: "I am not going to disguise my own enthusiasm for an entitlement card system."

In October 2003, Tony Blair said in prime minister's questions in the House of Commons: "In principle, I do believe that ID cards have a place. I think when we look at the levels of benefit fraud and problems that arise from asylum and immigration they are a good idea."