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6 Mar 2008 01:02 PM
Independent review on identity assurance published

HM TREASURY News Release (26/08) issued by The Government News Network on 6 March 2008

CROSBY REVIEW

Sir James Crosby's independent review, Challenges and opportunities in identity assurance, is published today The review looks at how to maximise the economic and social advantage to the UK from having the most effective ID assurance systems and infrastructure.

James Crosby said:

"Like never before we all need to be able to assert our identity with ease and confidence. Collectively, our ability to do so is of significant economic and social consequence. But first and foremost our identity belongs to us, no one else. The potential of any mass ID system such as ID Cards therefore lies in the extent to which it is created by consumers for consumers.

"I have had the privilege of listening to a very wide range of opinion. But Government departments and agencies, private sector companies, regulators, special interest groups and technology providers were all united on one thing. The future of identity lies in putting the consumer first. For many organisations that calls for radical new thinking."

The report is available from the Treasury website: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/identity_management/identity_management_index.cfm

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The then-Chancellor Gordon Brown appointed Sir James Crosby to chair the Public-Private Forum on Identity Management in July 2006.

2. Sir James Crosby was Chief Executive of HBOS from 2001 - 2006, having previously been Chief Executive of Halifax PLC from 1999. Sir James is Deputy Chairman of the Financial Services Authority, the Senior Independent Director of ITV plc and Compass Group plc, a trustee of Cancer Research (UK) and a fellow of the Faculty of Actuaries.

3. The Review reports to the Chancellor and the Home Secretary. The terms of reference for the Review were:

* review the current and emerging use of identity management in the private and public sectors and identify best practice;

* consider how public and private sectors can work together, harnessing the best identity technology to maximise efficiency and effectiveness;

* produce a report for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

4. Twelve organisations, drawn from the public and private sectors contributed to the Review. The public sector was represented by (in alphabetical order) the City of London Police; the Department for Work and Pensions; the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency; HM Revenue & Customs; the Identity and Passport Service of the Home Office (IPS); and the Serious Organised Crime Agency. The private sector was represented by (in alphabetical order) Barclays; Boots; British Airways; Compass; Linklaters; and O2.

5. Non-media enquiries should be addressed to the Treasury Correspondence and Enquiry Unit on 020 7270 4558 or by email to public.enquiries@hm-treasury.gov.uk.

6. This press release and other Treasury publications and information are available on the Treasury website. If you would like Treasury press releases to be sent to you automatically by email you can subscribe to this service from the press release site on the website.