On March 29, 2006, the UK House of Lords and House of Commons adopted legislation that would require all UK passport applicants to register in a national computer database or receive an identification card. Although the Identity Cards Bill was originally touted as being critical to combating terrorism, illegal immigration, organized crime and identity theft, it was met with harsh criticism on the basis of cost and civil liberties. The legislation was delayed, and finally abandoned.

UK coat of arms

Learn more about the laws governing national ID cards from the JURIST news archive.

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