Government ministers are not yet talking about possible expansions of ID implementation. First, they intend to assess how their new initiative will work. In particular, ministers want to ensure that the system will operate reliably and in a secure, hack-proof mode. Opponents of introducing IDs point out to the government the imperfection of information technologies meant to protect confidential data.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has not yet given his approval for the introduction of IDs. Both opposition parties in parliament (the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats) are against it. Conservative Party leader David Cameron said he intends to seek the cancellation of ID introduction if his party wins the next election.
According to Jackie Smith, the data contained in the biometric passport and ID will be provided to the national identity register. The biometric passport chip will record fingerprints and iris scans. The electronic ID chip will store basic identifying information: photo, name, address, sex, date of birth of the holder. The microchip will also contain biometric data: fingerprints or iris or facial scans.
According to the plan, all immigrants from non-EU countries must obtain the card this year, and next year it will be the turn of airport and port workers. They will be required to always carry the new document. This first step will be part of the government's long-term program to protect the country from terrorism.
It is widely believed that Gordon Brown is quite skeptical about the introduction of IDs and does not share the enthusiasm of Tony Blair, his predecessor as prime minister. However, Brown has recently been quite consistent in defending the plans to introduce new-style documents and linked their introduction to strengthening national security. And Jackie Smith claims that the party is united in its desire to introduce identification documents.
Brown's cabinet believes that identity cards will give people the opportunity to verify their identity. IDs will help raise the level of security in the country, prevent various frauds, such as illegal employment, and improve border control.
Translation by Gzt.ru