News story

21st December 2004

Local People Overwhelmingly Reject Government ID Cards Scheme
 

Responses by over 1,000 local residents to a question from Northavon MP have revealed high levels of hostility to the Government's proposed ID card scheme. Although people did not object in principle to a compulsory ID card - indeed, this was favoured by a majority of two to one - they objected by a huge margin to central elements of the Government's proposals.

One aspect of the Government's plan which was widely opposed is the planned charge of around 85 pounds per person. Many people who supported ID cards in principle said that they should be free, or at the very least cost no more than a passport would currently cost.

Under government plans, ID cards will start to be introduced over the next ten years when people replace their existing passports, but they will not be compulsory until 2013 at the earliest. Many respondents to Steve Webb's survey said that the cards would do nothing to reduce the risk of terrorism or curb illegal immigration if they were voluntary for years to come.

There was also widespread scepticism about the ability of the Government to deliver on a massive computer project, given the failures of computer systems at the Child Support Agency and elsewhere. Many people said that the cost would undoubtedly be much greater than initial estimates.

Commenting on the results of this survey, Steve Webb said:

"This is one of the biggest responses that I have ever received to a consultation of this sort, and it has been fascinating to hear what local people think. Although many people told me they would be willing to have an ID card if it helped to defeat terrorism or curb illegal immigration, very few are convinced by the way that the Government is going about it.

"There is a strong case for arguing that the money being spent on this ID card system would be better spent on more police officers and on intelligence efforts which would be more likely to detect terrorists".

Note to editors:

Steve Webb invited responses on two questions from members of his e-mail group and from any other resident who wanted to write with their views. On the issue of compulsory ID cards in principle, the vote was two to one in favour. On the specific scheme being proposed by the Government, the vote was 132 in favour and 964 against - a majority of around seven to one against.