IT supplier trashes ID card scheme

Entitlement cards are "doomed to failure" if the UK government insists on using them as identity cards, according to IT supplier group Intellect.

This week the Home Office will publish a consultation paper on the introduction of entitlement cards aimed at cutting benefit fraud, reducing illegal immigration and checking the black economy.

Intellect was asked by the Home Office to provide an industry view of entitlement cards. Tim Conway, the group's industry affairs director, explained that the government should use the cards to allow access to services, but not as identity cards.

"What needs to happen in government is what has happened elsewhere," said Conway. "You have a card which doesn't necessarily identify you but has sufficient authentication to make the process very efficient.

"A lot can be done to make things more efficient without citizens having to identify themselves."