ID card concerns raised by LSE
June 27, 2005
Tony Blair re-confirmed his commitment to the introduction of ID cards the day before the ID Cards Bill has its second reading in the House of Commons. Mr Blair said he is confident that the public back them in principle.
According to the London School of Economics, however, the scheme could cost over three times the figure estimated by the government.
Information Commissioner Richard Thomas said the plans “risk an unnecessary and disproportionate intrusion into individuals’ privacy”.
Mr Blair said that some of the figures being suggested were absurd. He said it was sensible to introduce the ID cards now because of the change to technology - people would have to pay for biometric passports and the ID cards could be provided for less than £30 on top of the cost of the passport.
According to the LSE the ID card scheme will cost a minimum of £10.6bn, approximately £170 per card and passport. It said the cost could be up to £19.2bn. The government’s estimate is £93 per card.
The LSE has identified “ten key uncertainties” over the project. Its concerns include issues over security, frequency of renewal and difficulty in getting people to use the scheme.
Professor Patrick Dunleavy, one of the LSE report’s authors, said that the report was the result of extensive research into ID card schemes around the world and talks with industry representatives and academics.
It is anticipated that the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and some Labour MPs will oppose the plans in the Commons.