Passports (and ID cards) from 2012
 

I'm sure you all know by now that passports from 2012 will need to provide additional biometric date. The biometric passport has been around for a while now and currently only contains digital image of the holders face. From 2012, the chip will also contain fingerprint and signature data. A friend of mine showed me a photo trade newsletter which has issued guidlines on the cost of collecting the data. At the moment, a passport photo costs around a fiver. From 2012 however, this could rise to at least £30. Startup costs for the trade will be around £15K to buy the equipment. A pilot scheme will be in operation from next year in the greater Manchester area.

http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downl...prospectus.pdf

Looks like YET ANOTHER failure by NuLabor to distribute the cost of its stupid, control-freak schemes :(

The cost of a basic passport had rocketed in recent years...

• £11 - 1982
• £15 - 1992
• £18 - November 1992
• £21 - 26 March 1998
• £28 - 16 December 1999
• £30 - 14 January 2002
• £33 - 21 November 2002
• £42 - 2 October 2003
• £51 - 1 December 2005
• £66 - 5 October 2006
• £72 - 4 October 2007

...i renewed mine five years early, both because it would work out cheaper in the long term, and so that i wouldn't have to be data-raped to prove that i am who i say that i am (possibly to somebody who wasn't even born in this country).

As for "contracting out" the taking of photos, this sounds like the "scheme" that was implemented for HIPS, with the promise of making loads of money if you train to become a government spy.

In their own words...

So, making money is more impoirtant that securing our borders. :rolleyes:

Make it up, you couldn't :(

mb

securing our borders ??? your having a laugh

I don't think this will happen now, the Tories said it will be ditched and told companies that were investing in this not to bother.

Edit:

http://talking-clock.blogspot.com/20...r-with-id.html

Bleddy good job too. Now all the Tories have to do is come up with enough policies that people will vote for them rather than UKIP or the BNP....

Dave

The national identity card scheme will probably get cancelled if the Tories get in, but I believe the biometric passport data will go ahead.