The government has ditched plans to build a new computer
system for its national identity cards scheme.
Information will instead be held on three existing and separate
databases, said home secretary John Reid.
Reid has denied the move is a "u-turn" on the government’s
initial plans, saying the decision would save cash, achieve greater
efficiency and lower the
risk of fraud.
Reid has also said that all foreign nationals living in and
entering the UK will be fingerprinted and photographed from
2008.
The government says that national ID cards will help tackle
illegal immigration, identity fraud and terrorism.
The ID cards are set to be introduced from 2009, and will be
compulsory with passports from 2010.
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