ID cards scheme will be voluntary
WITH reference to your article (Sheffield ID card tryout scheme rejected), I wish to correct the claim that the Government is making ID cards compulsory.
Identity cards will not be compulsory for British citizens. It would require further primary legislation to make it compulsory to have an ID card and there are no plans for such a move.
We are well advanced with our plans to start issuing the first identity cards on a voluntary basis to people who are resident in the Greater Manchester area from autumn this year. In due course people resident in every other part of the United Kingdom (including Sheffield) will become eligible to apply for identity cards on a voluntary basis.
Our research consistently shows that around 60 per cent of people support the benefits ID cards will bring, including greater convenience, protection against identity theft and helping tackle the use of multiple identities by criminals.
James Hall, chief executive, Identity and Passport Service
What do you think? Add your comment below.
BUY ONLINE: Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. Sign up on line by clicking here.
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
