UK plan to introduce identity cards

"In Britain, the Government has revived a controversial plan to introduce compulsory identity cards.
"Apart from containing basic information and a photograph, the cards would also include biometric details, such as physical characteristics that can verify the cardholder's identity. Assuming there are no delays to the legislation, the scheme could be introduced by 2008."
Source: ABC Oz

US wants to be able to access Britons' ID cards
"The United States wants Britain's proposed identity cards to have the same microchip and technology as the ones used on American documents."
Source: The Independent via Slashdot

IT leaders slam national ID card plans
"UK IT chiefs have rounded on the government's reintroduction of the national Identity Card Bill this week, slamming it as a project growing out of control that will end up being a 'fee-fest' for suppliers.

"The government claims the biometric technology is robust enough despite Home Office trials showing significant levels of failure in the registration and verification of iris, fingerprint and facial recognition trials involving 10,000 citizens last year."
Source