In a dramatic break with years of Labour policy, the new Home Secretary last night scrapped plans for compulsory ID cards. Alan Johnson said the scheme - which has already cost as much as £200million - would always remain voluntary. The project will now focus on persuading youngsters to pay £30 for a card so they can prove their age when trying to buy alcohol in pubs and bars. Scrapped: Former Immigration Minister Des Brown with an ID card Mr Johnson is also considering plans to give the cards away free to those over 75. Opposition MPs said the climbdown effectively sounded the 'death-knell' for the entire £5billion ID cards regime, which was once described as vital to the fight against terrorism. A succession of Home Secretaries have clung to a policy of making the cards compulsory as soon as they were held by a large chunk... [read full story]
