Ministers have been urged to revise estimates that ID cards would last a decade
Ten-year lifespan of ID cards 'unrealistic'
/v3-uk/news/1965970/ten-lifespan-id-cards-unrealistic
09 Nov 2005, Ken Young , V3
Wear and tear could force taxpayers to replace identity cards much earlier than ministers have predicted, according to consultants KPMG.
In a report in today's Financial Times researchers urge ministers to revise their estimates that the cards would last a decade.
"Given the inconclusive evidence for the lifespan of the cards we recommend that an increase in damage rates for the cards in the latter stages of the first 10 years should be reflected in the outline business case model or an estimate of cost for a warranty of the card be included," the KPMG document states.
The report, commissioned by the Home Office, is otherwise supportive of cost estimates which have been criticised as too low by a research team from the London School of Economics.
The KPMG report concluded that the government's finances are "robust and appropriate for this stage of development".
Home Office minister Andy Burnham denied the KPMG claims on durability, claiming that there is " general agreement" among card manufacturers that a 10-year lifespan is possible.
The Home Office has maintained that the process of enrolling people on the National Identity register, not issuing the plastic cards, accounts for much of the expense of the scheme.
The department argues that the register will have to be set up to issue biometric passports, and that a lot of the cost is unavoidable and unrelated to ID cards.
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Do you agree?
What is the problem?
I really don't understand what the British are on about! Other countries have had ID cards for as long as I can think and people have had to pay for them all along! What is the British problem? It would help in many ways: ID under age children when they try to buy alcohol or cigarettes or try to get into clubs, combat identity theft, help the police when they do spot checks, etc...
Posted by CC, 09 Nov 2005
yes, it's more than possible
I come from a country that has issued ID cards for years, and I've carried mine constantly in my wallet ever since it was issued to me.
When i read this article i decided to take a look at when that date was - oh! 1995!
So yes, a 10 year old card that still looks 2 years old is possible, even with "passe" technology.
Posted by TH, 09 Nov 2005
ID Cards not really the problem.
The true problem with the identity card scheme, as far as most Brit's are concerned is the huge costs which are being quoted.
The problem with these costs is that the Government is trying to include a whole swathe of costs which are nothing to do with ID cards, and get people to pay what is in effect yet another Tax.
For instance the National Identity Datbase has to be set up, ID Cards or no ID Cards, in order to issue Biometric passports.
This cost should come out of general taxation as it is an international treaty requirement, instead of which the government is trying to include the cost as part of the ID card scheme.
Posted by EJB, 10 Nov 2005
It's Not Just the Cost
This government has a woeful track record when it comes to delivering IT projects.
The inevitable cost overrun of this scheme is one thing, but the potential for identity theft and mis-use of personal information is quite another.
I'd want the government to prove that they are competent enough to deliver at least one successful, large-scale IT project before they go stumbling into another that delivers nothing more than a big pension pot for the consultants involved.
Posted by DL, 10 Nov 2005
Cards won't make a difference
I think a whole identity card scheme is a complete sham which has nothing to do with preventing terrorism or criminal activities.The point is to herd us further into a Big Brother society gradually reducing our freedoms all under the guise of making us "safer". This is complete rubbish as terrorists or criminals will ALWAYS find a way round to produce forged identity cards or sneak into the country other ways. Anyway as we know from the recent London bombings terrorists could be living in this country anyway and obtain legal identity cards. Instead of throwing this money down the drain the Government should use these resources giving them to the police and intelligence agencies.
Personally I can't afford to waste money on an identity card that serves no real purpose. I have never carried identification around with me and I see no point why I should start now. I'm not a criminal, I'm not a terrorist... Why should I feel like one.
Posted by J Baker, 11 Nov 2005
10-years Unrealistic
TH, whose ID card has lasted 10 years, looks after his ID card remarkably well. For me, keeping a credit card intact for a couple of years is a noteable achievement.
But it isn't only wear and tear which will decrease the cards' lifespan. It has already been found that biometric information can change in much less time.
Posted by Andi Ye, 11 Nov 2005