Responding to reports that David Blunkett may press ahead with plans for a so-called "universal entitlement card", Mark Littlewood, Liberty's Campaign Director said:

"The Home Secretary appears to have an unshakebale belief that ID cards are the solution to many of society's problems. He is sadly mistaken in this regard.

His justification for supporting ID cards changes with the news agenda. Firstly we were told that they would tackle terrorism. Then that they would cut benefit fraud. We are now asked to believe that they will combat illegal immigration. National identity cards will do none of these things. We only need to look across the Channel to see how ID cards have failed in other European countries. They are prohibitively expensive and pose a real threat to personal privacy. Complex social problems require targeted and sophisticated solutions. The proposed "entitlement" card is a dangerous and expensive public relations gimmick."