Friday 21st April 2006
The new Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has 'hit the ground running', publishing
plans today for a major programme of anti-fraud projects that will transform
people's ability to confirm identity and protect their personal details from
criminals.
The IPS Corporate and Business Plans 2006 - 16 (pdf, 1.66MB, new window,) set out the key measures the Agency is to introduce over the next ten years, as it works to set up the National Identity Scheme at the same time as enhancing the security of the British Passport and the passport issuing process. Also published today is the IPS Framework Agreement (pdf, 1.46MB, new window), which sets out the accountabilities, responsibilities and corporate governance between the IPS and its parent department, the Home Office, over the next five years.
IPS was created on 1 April 2006, after the Identity Cards Bill received Royal Assent. The Agency brings together the Home Office Identity Cards Programme and the UK Passport Service into one organisation. IPS will continue to be responsible for issuing passports and will issue ID cards from 2008/09.
Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said:
"The programme of work set out in these documents will lead to a step-change in our ability to fight the growing menace of fraud and forgery.
"The creation of the National Identity Scheme, employing cutting edge biometric technology, will provide the nation with a safe and secure means of confirming identity in everyday life. It will also enable us to crack down on abuse of our free public services by those not entitled to them.
"IPS is also working to maintain the status of the British Passport as one of the most secure in the world, introducing enhanced background checks and interviews for first-time adult applicants, and biometric ePassports, as well as a Passport Validation Service. IPS will spearhead work across Government on safeguarding identity."
In 2006/07 IPS aims to complete the roll out for the introduction of the new ePassport, which contains a facial biometric stored on the chip; strengthen the security of the passport issuing process by seeing first-time adult applicants in person at a network of offices that is being established; undertake more rigorous background checks on passport applicants to provide a greater degree of assurance that they are who they claim to be; and looking further ahead, pilot the addition of a second biometric (fingerprints) in passports, in line with international moves to incorporate biometrics in travel documents.
As well as providing passports and passport services, IPS will issue ID cards and provide the means of verifying the identity of individuals for accredited organisations; deliver the National Identity Scheme which includes establishment of a National Identity Register (NIR); and promote the use of the National Identity Scheme across the public and private sectors to improve identity management and ensure full realisation of the benefits of the scheme.
The IPS will work closely with the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), UKvisas and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to operate the National Identity Scheme.
Notes to Editors;
