Good news: ID cards to be issued in UK may be free of charge

Identity cards should be provided free as a way of winning the “hearts and minds” of the public, the Government's own expert recommended yesterday.

Sir James Crosby, commissioned by Gordon Brown to write a report on the subject, also cautioned against including a digital image of fingerprints on an ID card's microchip. He said that for security reasons the card and database should hold only some biometric elements.

The proposals from Sir James, the former chief executive of the HBOS banking group, came as Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, promised that 80 per cent of Britons would have a biometric identity card within nine years.

The Home Office is planning to charge £30 for a stand-alone card, and about £93 for a combined passport and ID card. Ms Smith outlined plans to encourage a speedy take-up of the card aimed at achieving a critical mass behind the controversial project.

~ more... ~