The Identity Cards Bill was enacted, on 30th March 2006, as the Identity Cards Act 2006. As noted above it was repealed in December 2010.

The government wanted to introduce a compulsory national ID cards scheme using biometric identifiers linked to a new national database. It wanted to ensure that anyone applying for a passport would also have to have an ID card although the Labour Party manifesto said they would be voluntary. This has led to considerable controversy and the Bill has been going back and forth between the House of Commons and the House of Lords as a result. The final position, on enactment, was that there will be an opt-out until 1st January 2010 which allows people who get a new passport not to obtain an ID Card as well (Hansard HC, 29th March 2006, col 999).

The new Identity and Passport Service (IPS) will be in charge of managing the ID cards scheme and became operational on 1st April 2006. However there are rumours that all is not going according to plan and that the Home Office is to review the scheme and may be about to change to a scaled down version of the identity card.

In December 2006 the Home Secretary announced that the government is scrapping plans for a new computer system to run the scheme and instead of a single system will (at least to start with) use a variety of existing systems including one used by the Department for Work and Pensions - see e-politix notes "Reid fires starting gun for ID cards", 19th Dec 2006.

In March 2008 the Home Secretary confirmed that ID cards will not be made generally compulsory before the next general election. However foreign nationals will be required to give their biometric details from 25th November 2008 (see 2008/09/25 - Home Office Press Release "First ID card unveiled by Home Secretary as scheme builds momentum" and 2008/11/06 - Home Office Press Release "Identity card delivery on time and on budget announces Home Secretary">).

During 2009, the requirement will be extended to all workers high-risk areas, such as airports (starting with London City and Manchester airports). From 2010, students and young people will be encouraged to provide their details voluntarily. From 2011, anyone applying for a passport will be added to the national identity register (see ID card timetable unveiled - ePolitix.com 6.3.08). This was confirmed by the Home Secretary in early May 2006 (see BBC News, 6th May 2009 "Manchester launch for ID cards").

See also notes at Bills before Parliament/2005 Queen's Speech and/or Bills before Parliament/Archive (2002 onwards)/2004 Queen's Speech .