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Rethink on ID card computer plan Rethink on ID card computer plan
(about 1 hour later)
The government has abandoned plans to build a new computer system as part of the national identity cards scheme.The government has abandoned plans to build a new computer system as part of the national identity cards scheme.
Instead information will be held on three existing and separate databases.Instead information will be held on three existing and separate databases.
Home Secretary John Reid denied this was a "u-turn" saying it would save money, lead to greater efficiency and lower the risk of fraud. Home Secretary John Reid denied this was a "U-turn" saying it would save money, lead to greater efficiency and lower the risk of fraud.
He also announced plans to fingerprint and photograph all foreign nationals living the UK as well as those entering the country, from 2008. All non-Europeans already in the UK - not just those arriving from 2008 - would have to register biometrics, such as fingerprints or iris scans.
Ministers say ID cards will help tackle illegal immigration, identity fraud and terrorism. The action plan will also look at other potential benefits. The controversial National Identity Register (NIR) was originally proposed as a single "clean" computer system built from scratch to avoid repeating mistakes and duplications in the government's computer systems.
ID cards are due from 2009, becoming compulsory with passports from 2010. Critics question their cost and the impact on civil liberties. 'Lower risk'
Now the information will be spread across three existing IT systems, including the Department of Work and Pensions' (DWP) Customer Information Service, which holds national insurance records.
Mr Reid denied IT companies had wasted millions on preparation work for an entirely new system, saying the industry had been consulted on the move.
"Doing something sensible is not necessarily a U-turn," Mr Reid told reporters.
"We have decided it is lower risk, more efficient and faster to take the infrastructure that already exists, although the data will be drawn from other sources."
Iris scans
The move was welcomed by campaign group No2ID.
Spokesman Michael Parker said campaigners had been warning the Home Office for years about the dangers of "putting all your eggs in one basket" when storing data.
Biometric information will be stored, initially, on systems currently used for asylum seekers, while biographical information will be stored on the DWP's system.
Other information, on the issue and use of ID cards, will be stored on the existing passport service computer system.
Mr Reid also announced proposals to force foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), who are already in the UK, to register their biometrics, such as fingerprints and iris scans.
This is already due to happen for those applying for visas to come to the UK from 2008, but Mr Reid said: "We are going to look at how we could do it for people who are already here."
Fake identity
He said the ultimate aim was to make all foreign nationals from outside the EU to register their biometric details but the scheme would begin with people re-applying to stay in the UK.
He said he wanted to tighten up exit controls at ports and airports, as well as entry requirements.
"We want to count everybody in and count everybody out," said Mr Reid.
Foreigners from outside the EU would not be able to get a National Insurance number unless they have a biometric identity.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said a consultation paper would be published in the New Year.
Mr Reid said ID cards would help tackle illegal immigration, identity fraud, fight organised crime and terrorism, help protect vulnerable children by allowing better background checks and improve public services.
They would not stop people having a fake identity, he conceded, but would prevent people having multiple identities, which he said were most often used by "crooks, terrorists and fraudsters".
"You can go around claiming the first time you are John Reid, but you can not then come round a second time claiming you are Liam Byrne," he said, by way of illustrating his point.
Civil liberties
The plans were laid out in an action plan which Mr Reid said was a "countdown" to the introduction of ID cards.
ID cards are due from 2009, becoming compulsory for anyone applying for a passport from 2010. Critics question their cost and the impact on civil liberties.
The card will contain basic identification information including the name, address, gender, date of birth and photo of the cardholder.The card will contain basic identification information including the name, address, gender, date of birth and photo of the cardholder.
A microchip would also hold biometric information - a person's fingerprints or iris or facial scans, which are unique to the individual. A microchip would also hold biometric information.