ID Cards in Scotland FAQ

• Will we have to have ID Cards in Scotland?
  Yes. The Government's proposals cover all UK citizens.

• What happens if I refuse?
  Once compulsion is introduced you will be liable to a fine of £2500 for refusal to submit your personal details, a fine of £1000 for failing to tell the Government of a change of address and a fine of £1000 for failing to renew your ID card.

• Won't it be voluntary?
  No. The Government has made it clear that it wants to move to compulsion as soon as possible. Even the initial so-called "voluntary" scheme will be nothing of the sort. During the "voluntary" period it will be compulsory to sign up for an ID Card in order to renew your driving licence or passport. The House of Commons Home Affairs Committee said:

  "To describe the first phase of the Government's proposals as 'voluntary' stretches the English language to breaking point."

• How much will this cost?
  The cost of a new / renewed passport is currently expected to rise to £85 to pay for the mandatory ID Card. The cost of an ID Card for those without passports is not yet known.

  Current estimates put the cost of the scheme as a whole at £3 billion. Here in Scotland we know all about the soaring cost of large Government projects so expect the final cost to be at least £6 billion of our money. Confidence is not helped by the fact that the Government is keeping secret the ID Card business case on the grounds of "commercial confidentiality".

• But we have a devolved Parliament - can't they stop this?
  No. The scheme is being introduced under the pretext of preventing illegal immigration. Immigration is a reserved matter over which the Scottish Parliament has no jurisdiction.

• What about access to services?
  The Scottish Executive can decide whether or not to require the use of an Identity Card to access devolved services.

• What is the position of the Scottish Executive?
  Following the Queen's speech in November 2004 it was widely reported that First Minister Jack McConnell had agreed with David Blunkett that ID Cards in Scotland will be required "only" to claim benefit rights but not to access our health or education rights.

  In February 2005 the Scottish Parliament passed a motion declaring the ID plans to be "flawed on political, technical and financial grounds" and a "threat to civil liberties".

  Unfortunately this doesn't stop the threat - whatever Holyrood says, the Westminster government still intends for the people of Scotland to be scanned, numbered and indexed like so many head of cattle.

  Join the campaign today