Identity Commissioner
Encyclopedia
The Identity Commissioner (officially known as the National Identity Scheme Commissioner) is an independent regulator in the United Kingdom appointed under the Identity Cards Act 2006 based in London.
Following the formation of the Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition
after the 2010 General Election, it was announced that the ID cards scheme was to be scrapped. The draft legislation, the Identity Documents Bill 2010
, published on May 27, 2010, includes the abolition of the Identity Commissioner.
and reports at least annually to Parliament on his oversight of the National Identity Service (previously known as National Identity Scheme). The first Commissioner, Sir Joseph Pilling, took office on 1st October 2009.
the arrangements made by the Secretary of State for carrying out his functions under the Identity Cards Act; the arrangements made by persons for processing information, which has been provided to them under our powers in the Act; and the use of identity cards.
The Identity Commissioner is also obliged to review arrangements:
for securing the confidentiality and integrity of the National Identity Register; and for dealing with complaints about the way in which the Secretary of State carries out his functions relating to the Scheme.
Following the formation of the Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition
Cameron Ministry
David Cameron is Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, after being invited by Queen Elizabeth II to form a new government after the resignation as Prime Minister of Gordon Brown on 11 May 2010. Leading a coalition government formed by the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats, the coalition...
after the 2010 General Election, it was announced that the ID cards scheme was to be scrapped. The draft legislation, the Identity Documents Bill 2010
Identity Documents Bill 2010
The Identity Documents Act 2010 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom which reverses the introduction of identity cards and requires the destruction of the information held on the National Identity Register....
, published on May 27, 2010, includes the abolition of the Identity Commissioner.
First commissioner appointed
The Identity Commissioner is appointed by the Home SecretaryHome Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
and reports at least annually to Parliament on his oversight of the National Identity Service (previously known as National Identity Scheme). The first Commissioner, Sir Joseph Pilling, took office on 1st October 2009.
Role and powers of the Identity Commissioner
Under the Identity Cards Act the Identity Commissioner has the power to review matters relating to the National Identity Service including:the arrangements made by the Secretary of State for carrying out his functions under the Identity Cards Act; the arrangements made by persons for processing information, which has been provided to them under our powers in the Act; and the use of identity cards.
The Identity Commissioner is also obliged to review arrangements:
for securing the confidentiality and integrity of the National Identity Register; and for dealing with complaints about the way in which the Secretary of State carries out his functions relating to the Scheme.
Annual Report 2009
On 25th February 2010, as required by the 2006 Act, the Home Secretary laid before Parliament the Identity Commissioner's first annual report, outlining the work of the Commissioner since the creation of the Office of the Identity Commissioner on 1 October 2009. The report is available on the Identity Commissioner's website.External links
- The Identity Commissioner - official site, launched October 1, 2009