National Id Card Scheme To Be Scrapped.

[coolhandjoe]

pa.press.net, Updated: 12/05/2010 19:31

National ID cards scheme to be axed

Labour's plans for a National ID card have been scrapped by the Tory-Liberal coalition Government

The £5 billion national identity card scheme will be consigned to the scrapheap as a result of the new coalition Government, the Home Office confirmed

Axing the controversial scheme and associated identity databases were key manifesto commitments for both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

Senior ministers must now choose how to withdraw several thousand cards already in circulation after individuals paid £30 and handed over personal information.

The majority have been handed to foreign nationals, but people in the north-west England, young people in London and airport workers were also able to apply.

Anyone holding a card can still use it for identification, banking and travel within Europe.

A message posted on the Identity and Passport Service website today urged anyone considering an application to wait for further announcements.

It said: "Both parties that now form the new Government stated in their manifestos that they will cancel identity cards and the National Identity Register. We will announce in due course how this will be achieved.

"Applications can continue to be made for ID cards but we would advise anyone thinking of applying to wait for further announcements.

"Until Parliament agrees otherwise, identity cards remain valid and as such can still be used as an identity document and for travel within Europe.

[lovelomsak]

what does this have to do with thailand?

[coolhandjoe]

what does this have to do with thailand?

Thai nationals applying for Indefinate leave or further leave to remain in the U.K do not have to apply for a compulsorary ID card with their application saving time and money.

Happy days

[Crossy]

Despite the somewhat tenuous Thai connection I'm going to let this one run.

PLEASE no comments on the Big-Brother aspects of the ID card scheme

[BWPattaya]

what does this have to do with thailand?

I for one am glad that someone had the sense to post it here. I am British and this would have affected me, and many other UK expats. I didn't know it had been shelved, and I doubt that many others knew.

So, what does it have to do with Thailand? Simple - it is of interest to expats here. Crossy, thanks for letting it run.

Edited May 13, 2010 by BWPattaya

[Eff1n2ret]

what does this have to do with thailand?

Thai nationals applying for Indefinate leave or further leave to remain in the U.K do not have to apply for a compulsorary ID card with their application saving time and money.

Happy days

For many categories of foreign nationals granted LTR in the UK, the i/d card has been for the last couple of years a substitute for the sticker in the passport. I suspect that will continue, and what has been scrapped is the plan to require British citizens to have identity cards, which the majority of people do not want, especially when they have to pay for them. The i/d card requirement for foreign nationals is set out here:-

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/siteconte...oridentitycards

[Nordlys]

Despite the somewhat tenuous Thai connection I'm going to let this one run.

PLEASE no comments on the Big-Brother aspects of the ID card scheme

If so then the thread title should change. I thought it was about the Thai national ID card, of which I'm a holder.

[Elwood62]

well it is in the other countries section...didn't that tell you enough

Edited May 13, 2010 by Elwood62

[Thongkorn]

There is a form of ID card already in the UK , your New driving licence, the plastic card It has your Name Address Date of birth and your picture on it.

Edited May 13, 2010 by Thongkorn

[Eff1n2ret]

There is a form of ID card already in the UK , your New driving licence, the plastic card It has your Name Address Date of birth and your picture on it.

....but not your nationality or your immigration status or right to employment or benefits, which was part of the intention of the national identity card, as well as the ongoing insidious campaign to turn us into "European Citizens".

[samran]

what does this have to do with thailand?

Thai nationals applying for Indefinate leave or further leave to remain in the U.K do not have to apply for a compulsorary ID card with their application saving time and money.

Happy days

For many categories of foreign nationals granted LTR in the UK, the i/d card has been for the last couple of years a substitute for the sticker in the passport. I suspect that will continue, and what has been scrapped is the plan to require British citizens to have identity cards, which the majority of people do not want, especially when they have to pay for them. The i/d card requirement for foreign nationals is set out here:-

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/siteconte...oridentitycards

I used to be a HSMP holder in the UK and having one of these cards would have been a huge benefit. Would have made life alot easier.

As a Thai ID card holder I know that a simple ID card just faclitates life with less pissing about. Both the UK and Thai burecrats like their paperwork!