Entitlement Cards

Entitlement Cards
Press Release "The Home Office will publish a consultation document on entitlement cards later this year, the Home Secretary announced today. Answering a parliamentary question from George Howarth MP (Knowsley North and Sefton East) the Home Secretary said: "After the terrorist atrocities in the United States on 11 September, the issue of introducing an identity card scheme was raised by many people. I have received over 600 letters from Rt Hon and Hon Members and members of the public on identity cards since September 2001. "At the time the Government said that it was not planning to introduce an identity card scheme as part of its response to the events of 11 September, but that the policy was being kept under review. We said that we were considering whether a universal entitlement card which would allow people to prove their identity more easily and provide a simple way to access public services would be beneficial. We also said that a scheme could help to combat illegal working and it could also reduce fraud against individuals, public services and the private sector. "We have made it clear that the introduction of an entitlement card would be a major step and that we will not proceed without consulting widely and considering all the views expressed very carefully. "There are many arguments - both philosophical and practical - for and against a scheme. One of the options which the Government has already ruled out is making the failure to carry an entitlement card an offence. However there are a range of other issues to explore and we intend to publish a consultation paper in the Spring or early Summer. This will cover the whole issue of identity fraud and a range of possible responses in the short, medium and long-term including the advantages and disadvantages of an entitlement card scheme - but also other measures which might be taken to improve the security of existing forms of identification issued by the Government. "In order to ensure that the paper will be balanced and comprehensive and present to the public as full a picture as possible, the Government wishes to discuss its emerging ideas with interested parties prior to publication."

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/