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Britons' ID cards 'to be delayed' BBC Plans for a wider roll-out of identity cards to British nationals appear
to have been delayed for two years. But documents leaked to the Tories suggest it has been put back to 2012. The Tories say the ID card scheme is "in the intensive care ward" but the government said the plan had always been to introduce them "incrementally". The timetable for ID cards to start being given to UK citizens over 16 has already slipped and the first ones are not expected to start being issued until next year. From January 2010 everyone getting a passport will have to get an identity card as well, according to existing plans.
Biometric cards When he was prime minister, Tony Blair said that legislation to make it compulsory for all Britons to get an ID card - not just those getting a passport - would form a "major plank" of Labour's next election manifesto. But the scheme has met fierce criticism from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on cost, effectiveness and civil liberties grounds. They have also come under fire from experts, including Professor John Salt, of University College, London, who has advised the government on migration trends. Asked by a House of Lords Committee on Tuesday if ID cards would help curb illegal immigration, Professor Salt said: "No, if they are capable of being forged - and that is probably likely to happen."
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