UK dumps plans for compulsory ID cards (AAP)

Controversial plans to introduce compulsory identity cards have been dumped by the British government. The cards were due to be made compulsory for pilots and airside workers at Manchester and London City airports on a trial basis ahead of plans to roll them out to the wider population. The airport workers were outraged by the plans and threatened legal action against the government. Newly appointed home secretary Alan Johnson on Wednesday said he had dumped plans for compulsory cards and promised they would now only be issued on a voluntary basis. Opposition parties want him to go further and scrap the STG5 billion ($A10.2 billion) scheme entirely. But Johnson said voluntary cards would be available for those living in London who wanted them in 2010 while people aged over 75 would be offered them for free. The ID cards... [read full story]                    

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