Gov't denies scrapping fingerprints for ID cards

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• Documents,
• Register,
• Identity,
• Travel

Kable

Published: 29 Jan 2008 10:19 GMT

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The Identity and Passport Service has denied that fingerprints could be dropped from the National Identity Register.

It has dismissed a report — based on a leaked document — in The Observer that claimed plans to assess the costs of fingerprints for different groups of people indicate the fingerprint scheme might be dropped.

"It's a nonsense to suggest we are going to drop fingerprints," an Identity and Passport Service (IPS) spokesperson told GC News. "International travel documents have fingerprints and we are going to move in that direction. It's very obviously the direction for travel documents around the world."

The spokesperson said the IPS would not comment on the contents of the leaked document, but that the IPS was still committed to using fingerprints as part of the National Identity Scheme.

"By linking fingerprints to a secure database with strict rules outlining its use, the National Identity Scheme will allow individuals, business and the state to prove identity more securely, conveniently and efficiently, while protecting personal information from abuse," the spokesperson said.

"This builds on what we are doing anyway, putting fingerprints in passports and immigration documents in line with international moves to strengthen document security. The ID card will need to meet international standards for travel documents, as it will act as a passport for travel within the EU," the spokesperson continued.

The spokesperson said more detailed plans would be announced when discussions internally and with suppliers are complete.

The spokesperson also described as "entirely wrong" reports of plans to prevent young people who do not have an identity card from obtaining a student loan in the future.

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