Cost of ID card scheme could double, says report

"The Government's plan for compulsory identity cards is a bad idea, in a bad bill, introduced for the worst possible motives," said Peter Lilley, Conservative MP for Hitchin & Harpenden, and author of "Identity Crisis: the case against ID cards."

"The scheme represents an unjustifiable encroachment on liberty in return for at best minor benefits, and at huge financial cost which would be better spent on more police or better control of our borders," he added. "What's more, the Government seems determined to ram this plan through Parliament without the proper consideration that such a fundamental change demands."

The Government published its proposals for the national ID card scheme in April 2004, including draft legislation that would allow for a database to be kept containing detailed personal information on cardholders, and which could potentially create an electronic fingerprint of everyone who uses a service, such as the NHS, that requires an ID card check.

Experts and civil liberties groups are outraged by the proposals, which they see as rushed, over-reaching and damaging to human rights.

Nevertheless, legislation to create the scheme was passed at second reading by the House of Commons in December, despite rebellions from 19 Labour and 10 Tory MPs, and abstentions from over 170 more.

The Tory rebels included Peter Lilley, the former Deputy Leader of the Conservatives, who yesterday further condemned the scheme in the paper, published by Conservative centre-right think tank, the Bow Group.

The paper argues that ID cards would not address the real problem in tackling organised crime, terrorism and illegal immigration - which is not the identification of suspects but proving them guilty or removing them.

The report goes on to highlight that:

• On the government's own figures the cost is huge – £5.5 billion over ten years – so a passport/ID card will cost £85 per adult. All past experience and independent experts suggest the cost could easily double – this will be Labour's poll tax.
• The public sector's record in the successful implementation of IT projects is woeful; and this would be the biggest yet.
• Biometric technology still involves high levels of error. At present success rates, even if each UK citizen only had their card checked once a year four million people would be falsely accused of not being who they say they are.
• If the scheme does not require everyone to carry and produce cards at all times there would be few benefits.
• Yet if carrying cards is made compulsory even leaving home without one would be an offence; failure to notify a change of address means a £1,000 fine and failure to register means a £2,500 fine.
• The introduction of compulsory ID cards in peacetime has been the preserve of fascist and communist states; such plans have always been intended to control their citizens. Common law countries have all rejected them in peacetime.

"Whatever you think of the principle of ID cards, this report demonstrates that the Government's current proposals do not deliver sufficient benefits to outweigh the phenomenal difficulties of enforcement, cost and bureaucracy, to say nothing of civil liberties," said Chris Philip, Chairman of the Bow Group.

Copies of the report can be obtained from the Bow Group