Lib Dems slam 'absurd' ID card proposals

12.00.00am GMT Wed 10th Dec 2008

Cardiff North Lib Dems, John Dixon and Ed Bridges, have slammed Labour's ID card plan as a 'laminated poll tax'.

Liberal Democrats in Cardiff have hit out at the latest round of Government proposals on ID cards, which could see fines of up to £1,000 for anyone accidentally submitting wrong information.

The Government is holding a consultation on draft legislation for ID cards, which could see women who change their name after marriage facing fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to tell the government. Fines would also apply if citizens failed to report lost or stolen cards.

The consultation also reveals that many people will have to pay more for their ID cards than the £30 fee which had been suggested previously.

The proposals have been strongly criticised by the Liberal Democrats, who have instead called for the money to be spent on front-line police officers.

Cardiff North's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman, John Dixon, said: "Ministers are already admitting that people will be forced to pay more for the dubious privilege of an ID card than they originally promised. The government should do us all a favour and scrap this laminated poll tax, instead of making us all pay through the nose for it. I urge anyone who is concerned about these proposals to respond to the consultation."

ID cards are already being issued to foreign nationals visiting the UK, and it is thought that 60,000 cards will be issued by the end of March. Leaked Government documents have also suggested that anyone applying for a student loan from 2010 will be forced to hold an identity card.

Gabalfa councillor, Ed Bridges, said: "It is scandalous that the Government is sneaking ID cards in under the radar by forcing groups like foreign nationals and students to have one. Labour are forcing ID cards on the groups least able to resist, and will then move on to the wider population. It would make much more sense to spend the money on getting more police on the beat to make communities safer."

The consultation on the plans will continue until February. The full consultation document can be downloaded here: http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/NIS_Legislation.pdf and comments can be sent to identitycards@ips.gsi.gov.uk with the words "Consultation Response" in the subject line of the e-mail.