UK TWIN TRACK APPROACH TO ID CARDS
The UK National Identity Scheme is a major undertaking which will ultimately deliver a universal and simple proof of identity for those who are legally entitled to live or work in the UK. We are planning a twin track approach to delivery.
The Scheme will be available to people over 16 years old who legally reside or work in the UK.
Specifically, it includes biometric visas, enhanced passports (for all ages) and identity cards, including those cards issued to foreign nationals in the form of biometric immigration documents.
The Scheme is supported by legislation, including the Identity Cards Act 2006, which provides important statutory safeguards regarding the collection, retention and oversight of information necessary for the operation of the National Identity Register and the issue of identity documents issued under the powers of the Act.
First of all, we will start with those who are employed in sensitive roles or locations, and where identity assurance is important to public protection. Then we will begin issuing cards, on an entirely voluntary basis, to those customers where there is the greatest personal benefit t to them in their daily lives from having or using an identity card.
Some important dates are:
• From 2008 we shall start to issue the first identity cards in the form of biometric immigration documents to foreign (non European Economic Area (EEA) nationals.
• In the second half of 2009, we shall start to issue cards to British and foreign nationals (including EEA citizens) working in sensitive roles or locations, starting with airport workers. We will run a series of workshops with other sectors in the course of 2008 to identify in which sectors the best opportunities lie to develop plans to extend the Scheme to other sensitive roles or locations after airports.
• From 2010 we will issue identity cards on a voluntary basis to young people to assist them in proving their identity as they start out their independent life in society.
• From 2011/12 we shall start to enrol British citizens at high volumes offering a choice of receiving a separate identity card, passport or both.
KEY DELIVERY PARTNERS
The partners who will help to deliver the Scheme include:
• The Identity and Passport Service (IPS). IPS was established as an Executive Agency of the Home Office and builds on the strong foundations of the UK Passport Service to provide passport services and, as part of the Scheme, Identity cards for British, Irish nationals and EEA nationals resident in the UK.
• The UK Border Agency. This new Agency, which will be introduced on 1 April 2008, brings together the work of two current Scheme partners:
---Border and Immigration Agency (BIA), formerly the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate, is responsible for immigration control. It regulates entry to, and settlement in the UK. It considers applications for permission to stay, citizenship and asylum. BIA will issue biometric immigration documents and deliver
identity products for foreign nationals resident in the UK
--- UK visas, a joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Home Office unit responsible for issuing visas to foreign nationals, allowing them to enter the UK. UK visas will issue biometric visas to foreign and EEA nationals applying for UK visas through UK diplomatic posts overseas
• FCO, is responsible for working for UK interests in a safe, just and prosperous world. It provides consular services, including full validity and emergency passports, to British nationals overseas through a worldwide network of diplomatic offices.
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is also treated as a delivery partner because their Customer Information System (CIS) forms part of the technical solution for the NIR.
SOME IMPORTANT MILESTONES IN THE DELIVERY OF THE SCHEME
• From 2008, we shall start to issue the first identity cards in the form of biometric immigration documents to foreign (non European Economic Area) nationals.
• In the second half of 2009, we shall start to issue cards to British and foreign nationals (including European Economic Area citizens) working in sensitive roles or locations (e.g. airport workers). We will run a series of workshops with other sectors in the course of 2008 to identify in which sectors the best opportunities lie to develop plans to extend the Scheme to other sensitive roles or locations after airports.
• From 2010 we will issue identity cards on a voluntary basis to young people to assist them in proving their identity as they start out their independent life in society.
• From 2011/12 we shall start to enrol British citizens at high volumes offering a choice of receiving a passport, identity card or both.
For more information please visit http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/index.asp
March 12, 2008
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