LSE ID cards report

An updated version of the London School of Economics’ report on ID Cards has been published.

Includes this on page iii):

We are extremely concerned at the ongoing culture of secrecy endemic in the planning of the identity cards proposals. The Home Office has conducted most of its work in a covert fashion, refusing to disclose information that would inform debate, and conducting negotiations in a closed environment. This process is inimical to the creation of trust. This situation also makes further research on the proposals impossible.

We find it incomprehensible that Parliament has been denied crucial information about costs. We cannot see a justification for any claim of commercial secrecy and believe this assertion is misleading.

We are mystified as to why, after three in the planning, no government department has either signed up to the scheme or has provided published material on costs and benefits. We conclude that there still exists widespread uncertainty and scepticism about the proposals to an extent that may make the scheme unworkable at a level that goes beyond even that predicted in our first report.

The main part is that they predict they'll cost £500.00 each!

UPDATE: The House of Lords have voted to force the govt to disclose the full costs of ID cards before they can become law.

We'll have to see if the govt are able to overturn this in the Commons (hope not).