UK Home Office Set To Scrap National ID Cards 334
mjwx writes "In what would seem to be a sudden outbreak of common sense for the UK, the Home Office has put forward a plan to scrap the national ID card system put into place by the previous government. From the BBC: 'The Home Office is to reveal later how it will abolish the national identity card programme for UK citizens. The bill, a Queen's Speech pledge, includes scrapping the National Identity Register and the next generation of biometric passports.' The national ID card system, meant to tackle fraud and illegal immigration, has drawn widespread criticism for infringing on privacy and civil rights. However, the main driver for the change in this policy seems to be the 800-million-pound cost. Also in the article, indications of a larger bill aimed at reforms to the DNA database, tighter regulation of CCTV, and a review of libel laws."
Shame (Score:4, Funny)
I like mine . . . no really, I do.
Re:Blunkett wants to sue (Score:3, Funny)
What made me laugh was the report that David Blunkett (the Labour Home Secretary that gave birth to the scheme) wants to sue the Government for the thirty quid that the card cost him: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/i-might-sue-over-scrapped-id-card-says-blunkett-1985447.html [independent.co.uk] Oh, and it's worth remembering that the Tories wanted to introduce an ID card system (sans database) back in the 90's.
You mean he didn't claim it on expenses! Well I am surprised.
That's a big gorilla (Score:5, Funny)
However, the main driver for the change in this policy seems to be the 800-million-pound
Gorilla? Please be gorilla. That's a big gorilla.
cost.
Disappointing close to that sentence.
Re:No surprise (Score:4, Funny)
What? A party got into government and lived up to it's manifesto promises? I find that pretty surprising...
Re:800-Million pound cost (Score:4, Funny)
(PS: Got my data from World Bank / ukpublicspending.co.uk / HMRC statistics / other reliable sources).
I work for a research science group and I so, so wish I could cite reliable source when writing up!