UK Homeless will receive national identity cards

Foreign nationals working in Britain are to be issued with RFID-enabled biometric identity cards next week, in the first phase of the Labour government's plan to bring in a national identification system. British citizens will be able to apply for a national identity card from the end of next year, with stiff penalties proposed for those who don't abide by the rules. Initially the card will cost in the region of £30, but this charge is likely to rise when large-scale issuing begins in 2011 and 2012. Those who obtain a card and fail to notify the government of a change in their personal details could face a fine of anything up to £1000. Originally the Labour government had proposed that the card should be made compulsory, and conscientious objectors would have faced a fine of up to £3000 for refusing to apply for one. But the present scheme will be voluntary, and there will be no fines for those not wishing to obtain a card. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair had attempted to bring in a compulsory identification card in 2006, but his plans were defeated by the House of Lords, who viewed the scheme as a serious infringement of civil liberties. While it may not become compulsory, you can be assured that the public will be coerced and cajoled by the government into fully embracing the initiative, as a way to reduce fraud, identity theft and combat the terrorist threat. Such a system is only as strong as its weakest link, and there is no doubt the pressure will be on to ensure this card is taken up as widely as...............

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