ID Cards Bill
The ID cards debate is really kicking off now following publication of a draft bill and the launch of a pilot to test the technology underpinning the cards this week. (The Guardian has an extended piece detailing the proposals.)
Interestingly, in a 20-minute long interview/Q&A session on the BBC Breakfast News yesterday, Blunkett emphasised the technological dimension of the proposals, arguing Labour didn’t bring proposals forward when they first came to power largely because ‘biometrics’ and the potential for a ‘clean database’ were absent. In short, technological changes have opened up new policy possibilities - though he also emphasised the changed political climate that exists post-9/11 as being a key factor too.
Also of interest is the MORI poll - widely reported last week - which suggests that some 80% of people are behind the scheme. Much of the support seems to be fuelled by the belief that the cards could help tackle illegal immigration and terrorism. Blunkett, though, emphasised the public services dimension too (though the notion of an ‘entitlement card’ seems to have gone now) and talked of linking the new ID cards system to the NHS’ new electronic patient records and rolling the two projects out conterminously. Moreover, he talked of the potential for saving hundreds of millions of pounds from eliminating fradulent use of the NHS by non-UK citizens.
Meanwhile, the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee are continuing their investigation of the feasibility of an ID card scheme: evidence from industry proponents and those who are more sceptical is now on-line.
