ID cards 'could replace passports'

UK citizens will be able to use their ID cards to travel to Europe, raising the possibility that they could eventually replace passports, according to the Identity and Passport Service (IPS).

Speaking today at the Home Office, IPS officials said that in theory, the biometric ID cards could also be used for identification purposes when travelling beyond the EU if the UK can reach agreements with other countries.

Silicon.com's A to Z of ID Cards

Click on the links below to find out everything you ever needed to know about the government's ID card plans...

A is for Act
B is for Biometrics
C is for Compulsory
D is for Data privacy worries
E is for EDS
F is for Forgery
G is for Government IT
H is for Home Office
I is for Identity and Passport Service
J is for Jury
K is for Hong Kong
L is for London School of Economics
M is for Money
N is for National Identity Register
O is for Other cards
P is for Passports
Q is for Quarter
R is for Refuseniks
S is for Self-destruct
T is for Terrorist
U is for Utility bill
V is for Verification
W is for When
X is for Xenophobia
Y is for Young people
Z is for London Zoo

With the cost of a new passport currently standing at £72, the £30 ID card might become a preferred option for people only wanting to travel within the EU.

The possibility emerged during a press briefing covering the secondary legislation for the National Identity Scheme announced today.

The legislation is in addition to the framework set out by the ID Cards Act 2006 and includes proposals around the procedures for issuing ID cards, including who will be eligible and how the data on the National Identity Register - the database housing ID information - will be maintained.

The Home Office has put forward the legislation for public consultation until 13 February next year, after which it will be put before Parliament.

The National Identity Scheme kicks off on 25 November when non-EEA foreign nationals will start to be issued with ID cards.

However, IPS officials added this month's rollout is part of the UK Borders Act rather than the Identity Card Act 2006, although the cards may be designated as part of the National ID Register in the future.

The secondary legislation includes a proposal to designate criminal record's certificate information as part of the National ID register for airside workers at London City and Manchester airports.

As a result, those applying for a criminal record's certificate as part of security procedures would need to register for and be issued with an ID card.

From autumn 2009 airside workers at the two airports will be issued with ID cards on a voluntary basis as part of early trials of the technology.

To view the ID card secondary legislation in full, click here.