09 Oct 2006

The Government today announced that implementation of its ID card scheme will cost an estimated £5.4 billion. The human rights group Liberty expressed concern that the Government’s arguments in support of the scheme are inconclusive whilst the cost is contentious and spiralling.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director for Liberty said:
 
“Excuses for ID cards are like a many-headed Hydra, shoot one down and another one pops up. Including everything from illegal immigration to anti-terrorism, no doubt at some point ID cards will be the cure to obesity and global warming as well.” 
 
“At a low estimate of £5.4 billion, this white elephant is as dangerous to our privacy as our purses. Any prudent Prime Minister would think again.” 
 
Contact: Jen Corlew on 020 7378 3656 or 07973 831 128
 
ATTN: PHOTO DESK
 
Simon Hughes, Lib-Dem MP for Bermondsey, Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney, Justine Greening, Conservative MP for Putney and Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty photo against Houses of Parliament “Liberty not ID cards” projection from October 6, 2006 is attached. 
 
Notes to Editors

Liberty’s principle concerns about the National ID Register and ID cards: 
 
They will fundamentally change the relationship between individual and state.
 
They will have a detrimental impact on race relations and will adversely affect vulnerable groups in society.
 
They will intrude on privacy as the amount of information held on the database and the uses made of that information will increase dramatically.
 
The Government’s poor record on IT projects makes this a huge financial risk.
 
We do not accept that ID cards will have any particular benefit:
They will have no impact on illegal immigration as asylum seekers have been required to carry ID cards since 2000.
 
Arguments that they will protect the UK from terrorist attack are unconvincing. The men responsible for the 9/11 and Madrid terrorist attacks had valid identification.
 
They will not help fight crime but will be counterproductive, as they will deflect financial and policing resources away from crime prevention and detection.
 
They will have minimal impact on benefit fraud, as this is usually about financial circumstances rather than identity.
 
Most identity fraud takes place remotely, online, over the phone or using false ‘seed’ documents (driving licences, passports and so on). Identity cards will not address this.
 
The Identity Cards Bill is flawed:
Too much detail is retained for regulation.
 
‘Safeguards’ protecting against the need to carry cards fall away when the cards become compulsory.
 
Criminal and civil penalties are excessive.
 
There is no auditing process to ensure information is accurate.
 
Information sharing powers are too broad.
 
The Identity Card Commissioner has insufficient power.