Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

£5 billion ID card bill a "colossal waste of money"

October 9, 2006 2:01 PM

David Howarth, MP for Cambridge, has described the Government's ID cards project as a "colossal waste of money".

Mr. Howarth's comments follow Government figures released today which predict that the National Identity Card scheme will cost over £5.4 billion to set up and run over the next 10 years.

Mr. Howarth commented:

"The Home Office's own estimate has almost doubled from £3 billion to over £5 billion and other estimates have suggested that it could be far more. The scheme is out of control. The public has no reason to believe that the true costs will not rise far above this £5 billion figure.

David Howarth MP

David Howarth MP

"The whole scheme is a colossal waste of money which will not help fight crime, benefit fraud or illegal working or any other of the myriad of ills that the Government claims ID cards will cure. ID cards will be an expensive and pointless fiasco."

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  
    • If you submit your contact details, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your contact details, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    cambridgelibdems.org.uk/en/article/2006/060384/5-billion-id-card-bill-a-colossal-waste-of-money
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    cam.lib.dm/a42BM

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image
  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
    • If you submit your contact details, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting


    • Generate different image
  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    • If you agree, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image