'ID card' opposition warning

Identity cards have already been introduced for asylum seekers

David Blunkett faces strong opposition to plans to introduce entitlement cards for benefit claimants, a senior Labour backbencher has warned.

David Winnick said the home secretary risked opposition from across the political spectrum over the planned card, amid fears it could herald a compulsory identity card for everyone.

Since 1952 we have managed successfully in peacetime conditions not to have such a decision

David Winnick

And writing in a Sunday newspaper, former Conservative cabinet minister Peter Lilley pointed out that when the Tories had tried to introduce benefits ID cards the police said it would do nothing to help them in their jobs.

But a Home Office spokesman said that it was "ridiculous" to reject plans that had not even been published.

Home affairs select committee member Mr Winnick said: "Since 1952 we have managed successfully in peacetime conditions not to have such a decision.

"If the government insists, it will carry the day but I think there will be quite a lot of opposition from all parties."

Civil liberties groups fear it would be the first step towards a compulsory ID card and Mr Lilley has said this would be a mistake.

He said he rejected the idea when he was social security secretary in the Conservative government during the 1990s.

To the small 'c' conservative voters whom Labour want to attract, it sounds a simple way of controlling illegal immigrants, criminals and welfare fraudsters

Peter Lilley, former cabinet minister

The Observer newspaper claims Home Secretary David Blunkett will launch a six-month consultation period on the possible introduction of entitlement cards, with a final decision by the end of the year.

The cards would be used to clamp down on fraud by checking rights to receive NHS treatment, education and state benefits.

In a separate article in The Observer, Mr Lilley said he rejected the idea of compulsory ID cards because of technological and civil liberties worries.

He claims police, security services and immigration authorities doubted their value.

He fears it may be the first step towards a compulsory card and some Labour MPs have suggested they could vote against legislation.

In the paper, he said: "The idea of compulsory identity cards has been hawked around Whitehall for years.

Logistical difficulties

"Its appeal is obvious - it combines the two essential New Labour ingredients: populism and modernism.

"To the small 'c' conservative voters whom Labour want to attract, it sounds a simple way of controlling illegal immigrants, criminals and welfare fraudsters."

Paradoxically, during his time as social security minister he was responsible for introducing a benefit payment card to replace the insecure and easily forged order books and giros.

He said: "The incoming Labour government scrapped that card, claiming it was too difficult to computerise up to 20 million claimants.

"How then can they hope to run an ID card for 60 million of us?

David Blunkett wants consultation exercise

"If it were not compulsory to carry one's ID, that would render the whole scheme pointless.

"Yet Blunkett has said that initially he will not make it compulsory."

Computerised cards could store a photograph, finger prints and personal information including name and address.

Outlining his proposals in February this year, Mr Blunkett said: "We have made it clear that the introduction of an entitlement card would be a major step and that we will not proceed without consulting widely and considering all the views expressed very carefully.

"There are many arguments - both philosophical and practical - for and against a scheme."