The identity cards scheme would build on ongoing work to include biometrics in passports by early 2006. Biometrics - unique personal identifiers such as facial image, fingerprints or iris patterns - combined with a secure database would enable people's identity to be verified securely and would help prevent people registering multiple identities.
A new executive agency (which will not require separate statutory authority) would issue ID cards, starting in 2008. It would incorporate the functions of the United Kingdom Passport Service and work closely with the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate.
The Bill will create a National Identity Scheme Commissioner to have oversight of the whole scheme, including provision of information from the National Identity Register.
The £30 price takes into account the overall finances of the scheme, including revenues from passports as well as ID cards, and what organisations will pay for identity verification services. It also reflects the fact that Government and society as a whole benefit from the scheme - whether through giving police an extra tool in fighting crime or protecting children through improved Criminal Records Bureau checks.
Mr Clarke said: "Following work over the summer by the Home Office, in full consultation with the Treasury and other Government departments, I can confirm today, that within current financial estimates of the ID cards scheme and Home Office spending plans the charge to the individual for a stand-alone ID card valid for 10 years, will be £30. No-one who wants to protect their identity need pay more.
"Being able to prove who we are is a fundamental requirement in modern societies, for example when we travel, apply for a job, open a bank account or apply for benefits. In future, the recording of biometrics, such as fingerprints, iris patterns or facial image means that we will have a much stronger way of linking identity to the person. A national ID card will be a robust, secure way to establish that identities are real, not fabricated."
Accountancy firm KPMG was commissioned by the Home Office to carry out an independent review of the costing methodology and key cost assumptions of the identity cards scheme and concluded that the costing methodology is robust and appropriate. KPMG have recommended improvements such as extending the sensitivity analysis, revisiting the process for estimating contingency and revisiting some cost assumptions. An executive summary of their report will be published in due course.
Biometric technology is being introduced all over the world and countries such as the UK, which are part of the US visa waiver scheme, must begin issuing biometric passports containing a facial image by October 2006 to remain in the scheme. The UK Passport Service will start to issue biometric passports in early 2006.
The Home Office also published yesterday the research report 'Identity Cards: an assessment of awareness and demand for the Identity Cards Scheme', which demonstrates strong public support for the scheme.
The 10-year stand-alone ID card, costing £30, will be available to those who choose not to hold a passport but will be valid as a travel document within the EU.
The current best estimate for the average unit cost of the combined passport and ID card package is £93. This will give people the full benefits of having the most secure travel documentation as well as an ID card.
The Home Secretary and Prime Minister have made clear that no Government would introduce identity cards if the cost to the public is seen as unreasonable.
Mark Oaten MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the announcement that people without passports will have to pay £30 for an ID card, said: "The compulsory £30 cost will prove too much for many. The elderly and poorest in society who may be barred from essential services such as healthcare, if they can't afford the fee.
"Only about 20% of the population will want to apply for a stand alone ID card, leaving the rest of the population to still pay over £90 for a combined ID card and passport. In addition we will all be paying through our taxes for the cost of implementing this scheme.
"The Government have yet to make a compelling argument for why we need ID cards, and why the public should believe that the cost of the scheme won't spiral out of control."
From 2008, those renewing their passport would be issued with a combined passport and ID card. It would not be compulsory to carry an ID card and there would be no new powers for police to demand to see a card. However, this would be a universal scheme for everyone legally resident in the UK and it would be compulsory to register on the scheme.
KPMG were commissioned to undertake an independent review of the costing methodology and key cost assumptions. They have concluded that the methodology used to cost the ID Cards proposals is robust and appropriate for this stage of development. KPMG have recommended improvements such as extending the sensitivity analysis, revisiting the process for estimating contingency and revisiting some cost assumptions. KPMG have confirmed that the majority of the cost assumptions are based on appropriate benchmarks and analysis from the public sector and suppliers. The Home Office will be acting on their recommendations as it moves towards procurement after both Houses have completed their debates on the Bill.
The Bill completed its Committee Stage in the House of Commons on 21 July. It is expected to have its Third Reading shortly.
The question to the Home Secretary: Martin Salter (Reading West): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost of an identity card will be; and if he will make a statement. [18588]Please press your Control key and the End key at the same time
The text of the Home Secretary's written answer, yesterday (13th October): "It will be affordable to set a charge of £30 at current prices for a standalone ID card which is valid for 10 years. This will be affordable within current Home Office spending plans. "
"This figure has been arrived at following careful scrutiny of the costs of the ID cards scheme over the summer by the Home Office, in full consultation with Treasury and other Government departments. "
"We are unable to release the precise costs for individual aspects of the scheme because this information is commercially sensitive and could affect the Department's ability to secure value for money from the market. However, independent analysis in a report from KPMG, a summary of which will be published shortly, has concluded that the costing methodology is robust and appropriate for this stage of development. "
"We are also developing plans to roll the scheme out faster using registration with the criminal records bureau as well as passport application to enrol people into the ID cards scheme. This would lead to faster issuing of the card and improved outcomes and budget savings for the criminal records bureau. "
"We remain confident that further significant savings to Government and the private sector will be identified as plans are developed. In particular, Tony McNulty MP now chairs a cross-Departmental Ministerial committee to identify transformational benefits and efficiencies which the ID cards scheme can deliver to other Government departments. "
"Our current best estimate of the average unit cost of the combined passport and ID card package is £93; around 70 per cent of these costs would be incurred anyway because of the worldwide move to biometric passports. We expect that most people will still choose to get their ID card alongside their new biometric passport as this will be the most convenient way to participate in the scheme and will give people the full benefits of having the most secure travel documentation. "
"I am also publishing today a research report 'Identity Cards: an assessment of awareness and demand for the Identity Cards Scheme' which demonstrates strong public support for the scheme. "
Quelle: Publictechnology, 14.10.2005
