Readers may recall that the Home Office estimates for its controversial identity card project tend to be on the low side – such that the whole project could probably be paid for by sending Charles Clarke out to busk at Westminster Tube station. This level of fiscal optimism has led Sneak to assume that maths cannot really be the department's strong suit.

So Sneak was pleased to have these suspicions confirmed recently, as the National Audit Office revealed the Home Office's accounts contain more "errors and internal inconsistencies" than a Lib Dem leadership campaign.

Something must be done, so if anyone would like to contribute to Sneak's Buy the Home Office a Calculator fund please send donations ASAP.

Sneak estimates that about £2.99 may be sufficient, although unforeseeable complicating factors could see the cost rise to as much as £19.2bn.

06 Feb 2006