Report - Guardian

232 The LSE Identity Project Report: June 2005figure of £584 million plus some “set up” costs. 592 The cost of issuing cards to foreignnationals is not included in these estimates, on the basis that this is the responsibility ofthe IND. 593The UKPS is likely to be transformed into the National Identity Agency. In turn, it willbe responsible for creating the Register; the UKPS is already moving towards a personcentricdatabase. 594 Currently, the passport office operates a passport-centric database,whereby the passport number is the key locator. The transformation towards a personcentricdatabase is significant in terms of the ever-increasing size of the new database –files now being focused on the life of the individual as opposed to the life of thepassport – which quite clearly has related cost implications. The Corporate andBusiness Plan for 2004 – 2009 mentions the high level of involvement of the UKPSwith the Home Office ID Card Programme Board 595 and, in the light of this, many of theUKPS’s corporate/business aims can be recognised as early steps towards theimplementation of the National Identity Register.This affects the funding structure of the UKPS. Its revenues were predicted to morethan double from £156.8 million in 2002-2003 to £318.3 million in 2007-2008, and asurplus increase of approximately 200% to £15.1 million is anticipated 596 . However, thefollowing year’s predictions place the expected revenue for 2007-2008 at between£356million and £435 million, 597 which demonstrates the increasing costs of theapplication process. The Home Office clearly intends that this revenue should: “fundthe infrastructure for issuing biometric passports”, although this appears to cover theincorporation of only one biometric identifier, notably facial recognition. 598The Government foresees the simultaneous introduction of a National Identity RegisterNumber (NIRN), which they assert will simplify access to Government services. 599 Itshould be noted that, according to the Regulatory Impact Assessment, this is: “notcurrently costed as part of the functions of the Identity Card Scheme”. 600 The cost ofintegrating the number across Government services is therefore ignored in theGovernment’s existing cost predictions.Costs of Passports and ID cardsIt is anticipated that the running costs of the Agency will be covered by fees charged forthe issue of passports/ID cards and their maintenance, i.e. fees for replacements and theverification service. However, if this revenue is not sufficient, fees may be charged forthe amendment of information, such as change of address. 601 The Governmentoriginally asserted that the cost of the passport/ID card package, that is valid for 10years, would be £85, 602 but six months later this increased to £93. 603592 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, May 2005, paragraph 19593 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, November 2004, paragraph 19594 ‘Confirming nationality and Identity and Enabling Travel’, page 20595 UKPS Corporate and Business Plans 2004 –2000, page 17596 ‘Confirming nationality and Identity and Enabling Travel’, page 30597 UKPS Corporate and Business Plans 2004 –2009, page 34598 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, November 2004, paragraph 17599 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, May 2005, paragraph 26600 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, May 2005, paragraph 26601 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, November 2004, paragraph 20/21602 Home Office – Identity Cards Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment, November 2004, paragraph 22