UK Government loses crucial votes on ID card
17/01/2006
In the first day of 'Report Stage', a full House of Lords debated at length the purposes, costs, and details of the proposed identity cards scheme. And in three votes serious obstacles were raised against the Government. The Government contends that the card is essential for combating crime, illegal immigration, and identity theft, and can be achieved for an operating cost of 584 million pounds per year. Other estimates vary widely, as some have questioned the ability of the scheme to be delivered, or to be delivered at cost, and the likelihood that the delivered system will have the desired effects. Most recently, the London School of Economics 'Identity Project' released a report outlining some issue areas that deserve greater attention.
The first vote was on a set of amendments that required the Government to halt the scheme until detailed costs could be clarified. The vote was 237 to 156 in favour of the amendment, setting the Government back by 81 votes.
The second amendment demanded that there be tighter security on the recording the storing of personal data that is central to the scheme. This vote was 206 to 144 in favour of the amendment.
The third amendment changed one of the purposes of the scheme from 'securing efficient and effective provision of public services' to preventing 'illegal and fraudulent access to public services'. The Government lost, as the vote in support of the amendment was 194 to 141.
The bill will continue in Report Stage in the coming weeks before it is sent back to the House of Commons for consideration of the Lords amendments. When the bill passed in the House of Commons, Labour's majority was slashed from 66 to 25.
In the coming weeks the Lords are to review even more contentious aspects to the bill, including the binding between the ID card and the passport, making the identity card a voluntary scheme. The French Government recently moved to make its scheme purely voluntary. Already, many have rejected and ignored the claims by the Government that much of this must go forward because of the biometric passport requirement.
Related:
ID cards in the UK FAQ
History of ID Cards in the United Kingdom
ID Card Frequently Asked Questions
Policy Laundering Home Page
ID Cards Home Page
UK ID Cards Home Page
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Reports and other Resources on ID Cards
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