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Blunkett does U-turn on ID cards Blunkett does U-turn on ID cards
(20 minutes later)
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett says the government should scrap plans to introduce ID cards for all in favour of mandatory biometric passports.Former Home Secretary David Blunkett says the government should scrap plans to introduce ID cards for all in favour of mandatory biometric passports.
Speaking at InfoSec 2009, a security conference held in London, the MP for Sheffield Brightside said biometric passports could do the job.Speaking at InfoSec 2009, a security conference held in London, the MP for Sheffield Brightside said biometric passports could do the job.
He said he had put the idea to the current Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.He said he had put the idea to the current Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
It is something of a u-turn for the MP who first muted the idea of ID cards when he was Home Secretary in 2001. It is something of a u-turn for the MP who first mooted the idea of ID cards when he was Home Secretary in 2001.
Asked whether ID cards could be dropped, Mr Blunkett told the BBC: "I think it is possible to mandate biometric passports.Asked whether ID cards could be dropped, Mr Blunkett told the BBC: "I think it is possible to mandate biometric passports.
"Most people already have a passport but they might want something more convenient to carry around than the current passport and may be able to have it as a piece of plastic for an extra cost.""Most people already have a passport but they might want something more convenient to carry around than the current passport and may be able to have it as a piece of plastic for an extra cost."
Using existing databases to hold the same information already gathered to issue passports could be a way of allaying fears over a new "database of information", one of the key criticisms of the ID scheme.Using existing databases to hold the same information already gathered to issue passports could be a way of allaying fears over a new "database of information", one of the key criticisms of the ID scheme.
"People don't worry about the Passport Agency but they do worry about some mythical identity database," he said."People don't worry about the Passport Agency but they do worry about some mythical identity database," he said.
Last month Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said government plans for introducing ID cards were "on track" but there have been reports that the scheme could be dropped.Last month Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said government plans for introducing ID cards were "on track" but there have been reports that the scheme could be dropped.
The Independent newspaper reports that senior cabinet ministers are privately discussing a plan to scrap ID cards as part of a public spending savings plan.The Independent newspaper reports that senior cabinet ministers are privately discussing a plan to scrap ID cards as part of a public spending savings plan.
The Home Office has estimated that introducing universal ID cards could cost £5bn. Mr Blunkett said mandatory biometric passports would be considerably cheaper.The Home Office has estimated that introducing universal ID cards could cost £5bn. Mr Blunkett said mandatory biometric passports would be considerably cheaper.
"Most of the cost is borne by the person purchasing the passport," he said."Most of the cost is borne by the person purchasing the passport," he said.
The government began issuing passports containing biometric information in March 2006.The government began issuing passports containing biometric information in March 2006.
Conservative leader David Cameron has already signalled that ID cards would be scrapped if his party wins power in next year's elections.Conservative leader David Cameron has already signalled that ID cards would be scrapped if his party wins power in next year's elections.