Manchester ‘may pilot ID cards’
David Ottewell writes in the Manchester Evening News:
Manchester could become one of the first areas in Britain to have identity cards, it emerged today.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith said the city was a ’strong contender’ to be a pilot area when the government starts rolling out the cards across Britain in 2011.
Ms Smith said during a visit to Manchester today that the cards – which will cost up to £30 – were about ‘less bother’ rather than ‘Big Brother’.
Critics said there was no public support for the scheme and recent data losses proved it could never be secure.
The home secretary was discussing ID cards at Wythenshawe’s Newall Green High School and at a speech for business leaders in Manchester town hall.
January 29th, 2009 at 19:25
I suppose that Manchester getting ID Cards first is in punishment for a majority in EVERY borough of Greater Manchester being against the proposed “congestion charge” scheme (that would record every journey in and out of the M60 ring) when they had their referendum.
There must be a few morals to be learned here.
January 30th, 2009 at 20:50
“Home secretary Jacqui Smith said the city was a ’strong contender’ to be a pilot area when the government starts rolling out the cards across Britain in 2011.”
Apparently Labour are assuming that they’ll win the election (due by May 2010 at the latest).