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The Home Office is spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on recruiting an elite marketing team to convince the UK it needs ID cards. The campaign is to persuade the public, MPs and public sector groups on the benefits of cards, before legislation for the scheme passes before Parliament. Under the proposed bill, the government will set up a population database containing the details of every citizen and unveil the biometric cards in three years. By 2007, new passports and drivers’ licenses will double as ID cards ensuring government can make the scheme compulsory, after its approval from Parliament. But opposition from inside the Chamber has accused the Home Office of jumping the gun by recruiting marketers to plug the scheme before the legislation is unveiled. “Parliamentary scrutiny seems to be an inconvenience rather than a necessity,” said Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman. “I would like to remind the Home Secretary [David Blunkett] that ID cards are not universally popular. The Bill is going to face stiff opposition both in the Commons and the Lords.” Top of the list to mastermind the scheme, is Head of Marketing, advertised at a salary of £66,000. The role is the latest addition to the growing number of programme workers, already offering a network of support. Home Office figures show that by the end of March, 23 civil servants and three full-time secondees were working on the ID programme. These work alongside officials from other departments with six external part time consultants contracted to provide specialist advice on aspects of the scheme. A separate team running the project is to carry out testing on biometric identifiers, such as iris prints, that will be included on the cards. It is understood Mr Blunkett is likely to press ahead with the ID card plan, maintaining it would “aid in the fight against identity theft, illegal working and immigration, organized crime and terrorism.” His determined pursuit of ID cards has caused some politicians to criticise his approach for a ‘compulsory’ scheme, despite misgivings from ministers. Oct 14, 2004 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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