About the ID Scheme

Let's get this straight — it isn't just about identity cards. The government's identity scheme includes a huge database to keep tabs on everyone, a massive infrastructure to collect peoples' details, and a giant network of technology required to verify people against their cards and both of these against the database.

The card is just the tip of the iceberg.

The proposed National Identity Management System has multiple layers: The National Identity Register (NIR); individual checking and numbering of the population; making personal details into "registrable facts" to be disclosed and constantly updated; collection and checking of biometrics (e.g. fingerprints); the card itself (and other documents made equivalent to an ID card); a widespread scanner and computer terminal network connected to the central database; widespread use of compulsory identity "verification" ; and data-sharing between organisations on an unprecedented scale.

We also brief MPs and peers of all parties on the details of the ID scheme and related legislation, which you will find linked below (all in PDF format).

Briefings on Identity Cards Bill in parliament, May 2005 — February 2006

Briefing for new MPs, May 2005: Detailed analysis of the reintroduced Bill, sent to MPs new to Parliament after the election. Refers to clauses within the Bill that went forward to Committee in July 2005. Subsequently, the bill has been amended.
House of Lords briefing October 2005: Supplementary briefing sent, in conjunction with our short paper outlining key concerns with the government's ID proposals, to all Peers in time for the second Second Reading on October 31st 2005.
Commons briefing October 2005: Summary briefing sent to all MPs in time for Report and Third Reading of the Identity Cards Bill on 18th October 2005, highlighting five key areas of concern. Separate briefings on individual amendments had also been provided throughout Committee Stage.
House of Lords briefing January 2006: Critical analysis of amendments arising from Committee Stage in the Lords, focussing mainly on those to do with Compulsion, Security and the Scope of Powers. Individual briefings had again been given during Committee Stage.
Commons briefing February 2006: Summary briefing on key amendments, fundamental questions remaining and public opinion — including a graph showing the drop in support and growing public opposition to ID cards, collated from all the major independent polls from 2004 to present. Sent to target MPs in time for vote.

Briefings on other Bills

Briefing on Serious Crime Bill for Lords Second Reading, February 2007: Summary briefing, focussed on the broad data-sharing and data-mining/matching aspects of the Bill. This is clearly an ID scheme-enabling Bill, which includes such horrors as the effective abolition of data protection in respect of certain 'official uses' of data.
Briefing on UK Borders Bill for Commons Second Reading, February 2007: Summary briefing on what is quite evidently another ID scheme and data-sharing Bill. Specific concerns include: weakened rule of law and increased official discretion; damage to privacy and confidentiality; economic and reputational damage to the UK; and the deliberate hiding of ID scheme costs in other departments' budgets.