POLL SHOWS DARLING SHOULD CUT TRIDENT NOT FRONTLINE PUBLIC SPENDING

OPINION POLL PUTS TRIDENT’S FINANCIAL FOLLY FIRMLY INTO FOCUS

As Chancellor Alistair Darling confirms Labour public spending cuts in a speech in Cardiff, the SNP seized on an opinion poll published today showing massive opposition to the Labour government wasting cash on a new generation of nuclear weapons, and called on the Chancellor to focus cuts on ‘white elephant’ projects like Trident and ID cards - and rule out real terms cuts by the Labour government in Scottish spending.

The ComRes poll for The Independent showed that the public overwhelmingly wants the government to scrap the Trident nuclear missile system and believes spending on health and education should be protected and rise each year.

Commenting SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said:

"The SNP have a simple suggestion for Alistair Darling to cut his spending - abandon plans to spend £25 billion on a nuclear missile system we do not want or need and the vast majority do not want.

“With the debate about Westminster government cuts raging, this ComRes poll lays bare the incoherence of spending plans that include Trident.

“The position of Labour and the Tories in arguing for Trident is untenable in these difficult financial times.

“Labour must focus its cuts on unnecessary and unaffordable white elephant projects like Trident and ID cards – and in the teeth of recession Labour must rule-out slashing front-line services like health and education, and capital investment.

“The Prime Minister and Chancellor attack the Tories for planning cuts in UK spending and yet Labour are doing the exact same in Scotland . The Budget confirmed Labour’s plans for the first real terms cut in Scottish spending since the dark days of the Tory government in the 1990’s. It will mean a real terms cut in Scottish spending, and is the wrong choice in the middle of the recession.

“The SNP want the required savings to be made by the UK Government abandoning its foolhardy £25 billion plan to replace the Trident nuclear missile, saving up to £100 billion over its lifetime. And we are also calling on Labour to completely drop their proposals to spend billions on unwanted and unnecessary ID cards.

“The UK Government’s catastrophic financial failure underlines the need for Scotland to have responsibility to run our own affairs – with the ability to take the decisions needed to reflate our economy, contribute to recovery, and overcome the Downing Street downturn.”

Council snoops highlight ID nightmare

The sacking of nine local authority workers for snooping on the personal records of celebrities and friends held on the Government's National Identity Scheme databases highlights the risk to us all, according to UKIP justice spokesman Gerard Batten.

"The arrest of these council officials proves what opponents of the National Identity Scheme having been saying all along: it will not be secure and everyone on it will be at risk". said Mr Batten.

"The abuses of the Customer Information System, which will form the core of the NIS, in 30 local authorities are surely just the tip of an iceberg. We can reasonably expect that many more abuses will have gone undetected. If the scheme proper comes into effect then it will be impossible to police effectively because of its sheer scale and size.

"The Identity Card scheme is just a red herring to allow the NIS to exist and give the government access to every aspect of our personal data. That is bad enough but these revelations also show that we will also be open to every criminal, fraudster or ill-wisher that is determined to get access to our personal information.

"The identity card scheme will not even do what it is supposed to: it won't protect us from criminals or terrorists, they will easily find ways to circumvent it. The people who will really suffer because of it are once again the ordinary law-abiding citizen.

"The ID Card and National Identity Scheme should be scrapped. It is a colossal waste of money and downright dangerous.

"Top marks to Mark Ballard and Computer Weekly for this revalation"

ID card flag ban is 'ridiculous'

The Government's decision to remove the Union Jack flag from the proposed identity cards has been branded as ludicrous by UKIP Leader Nigel Farage.

"We are utterly opposed to the whole idea of identity cards and Big Brother government anyway but this latest twist is utterly nonsensical," Mr Farage said.

"It's typical of the knee-jerk political correctness that governs thought in the Labour government. The loud minority have every wish granted while the silent majority suffer the consequences.

"Why remove the flag when it was already on drafts of the identity cards. If the Government insists we have them, then at least it should be easily identifiable to border control where the holder is from.

"The Government says it's axed the flag to avoid upsetting groups who may not identify with the UK symbol. This is simply ridiculous. Surely if someone is actually asking for a national identity card showing they are a British citizen, then surely they identify to some degree with the Union Jack?

"This move comes from the same thinking that bans the St George flag on public buildings, prohibition of Christmas nativity scenes and other barmy rules that undermine our culture and our sense of nationhood."

£200 million spent on ID card scheme already

Chris Grayling has attacked Labour after it was revealed that over £200 million has been spent on the ID card scheme already.

Information released in a Parliamentary Question shows that the Government has so far spent £215m on the scheme, which includes the delivery of biometric passports.

The Government also confirmed that it has signed eight contracts to deliver the scheme, with a combined value of over £1 billion.

Chris, the Shadow Home Secretary, said, “The Government has already wasted £200 million that we cannot afford. The scheme will cost hundreds of million pounds more, even if the cards are voluntary. It is time this scheme was completely scrapped.”

UK identity card image unveiled

The image of the ID card for British citizens was officially unveiled by the Home Secretary today in Manchester and London.

The ID card, which can also be used as a travel document in Europe, was revealed by the Home Secretary at St Pancras International Station in London and to residents of Greater Manchester at an event in the city centre.

The ID card image shows the information contained on the face of the card, including photograph, name, date of birth and signature, and the card’s unique design. It will hold similar information to that currently contained in the UK passport as well as a photograph and fingerprints on a secure electronic chip – linking the owner of the card securely to their unique biometric identity.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:

“The introduction of ID cards today reaches another milestone, enabling the people of Manchester to prove and protect their identity in a quick, simple and secure way.

“Given the growing problem of identity fraud and the inconvenience of having to carry passports, coupled with gas bills or six months worth of bank statements to prove identity, I believe the ID card will be welcomed as an important addition to the many plastic cards that most people already carry.

“The fact that it can be used as a passport when travelling in Europe will be an added advantage.”

The new UK identity cards will feature the latest physical security features, which are designed to give the card’s owner and those being asked to accept the card maximum protection from identity fraud or forgery, which costs the UK economy £1.2 billion on average each year.

They will act as a proof of age, helping prove an individual's right to enter premises or buy goods. They will also empower communities tackling anti-social behaviour and crime by allowing local retailers, including pubs and supermarkets, to make sure they aren't selling restricted goods to those who are underage.

A National Federation of Retailers and Newsagents spokesperson said:

“Underage sales are a problem across the UK and we are always looking for new ways for the public, especially those under the age of 18 years old, to prove their identity.”

“As the cards use the latest security technology, retailers can be confident that the person in front of them is who they say they are. What’s more, UK citizens now have the option of using a document that’s very portable and extremely useful.”

The Home Office takes seriously the concerns that the public have over their information being stored securely and accessed appropriately. That is why an Identity Commissioner will be appointed before ID cards are introduced to oversee operation of the service and report annually on the uses to which ID cards are put and the confidentiality and integrity of information recorded in the National Identity Register. Public Panel meetings in Manchester and London will allow the public to join a conversation about the National Identity Service so their views, reactions and concerns inform the way service is developed and delivered.

As the Home Secretary announced last month, the National Identity Service will be accelerated with UK citizens in the North West able to apply for a card in the New Year before full national coverage from 2012. Details of how the introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals will be speeded up will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Home Office is also working closely with the Department for Transport and Manchester and London City airports on the development of plans to introduce improvements to the existing pre-employment checking and airside pass-issuing arrangements that will be possible with the introduction of identity cards for airside workers later in 2009. This includes plans for those holding an ID card to receive increasingly joined-up airport services by enabling them to confirm their identity quickly and securely as they move between aviation employers and airports across the UK.

Farage blast for Government on ID cards

Tuesday, 30th June 2009

UKIP has welcomed the Government backdown on plans to introduce compulsory ID cards for airline pilots and ground crew from the autumn.

UKIP Leader Nigel Farage said: "We welcome this move. ID cards are something UKIP has been campaigning against for many years.

"However the British Government has only done this because of the implacable opposition of
the airline pilots' union, BALPA who have threatened strike action.

"Looking at the ID card question as a whole they are in a shambles. Non-EU nationals
will still have to carry them, which they will have to pay for along with the cost of the visa causing significant damage to our vital tourism industry.

"It appears that this government is so far from joined-up thinking that I would be surprised if any of them could tie their own shoelaces.

Mr Farage said the Home Secretary had not gone far enough.

"He is still talking about voluntary ID cards for the British public. And there is no mention of getting rid of the National ID database which is the real threat to civil liberties.

"Anyhow, make no mistake. If the Lisbon Treaty is ever in force the day will come when as citizens of a country called Europe we will all be forced to carry an ID card."

UK GOVERNMENT’S ID CARD POLICY UNRAVELS

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER CLIMBDOWN BY BROWN

Commenting on today’s (Tuesday) announcement by the UK Government that ID cards will not be compulsory for UK citizens, SNP Home Affairs Spokesperson Pete Wishart MP said:

“After months of mounting pressure – including former Home Secretary David Blunkett – the UK Government’s flagship ID cards policy is unravelling before the Prime Minister’s eyes.

“The SNP have opposed this absurd policy from the outset. Not only does it represent a massive security risk, it is also a huge waste of money. Instead of inflicting damaging cuts on the Scottish budget, the UK Government must abandon this ludicrous scheme in its entirety.

“Just a day after he ditched his unpopular and unworkable plans for the privatisation of Royal Mail, we have another climb down from the Gordon Brown over ID cards.

“Instead of ditching his unpopular policies one at a time in an unsubtle attempt to gear up for a General Election, the Prime Minister should just call one at the earliest opportunity.”

Grayling slams "absurd fudge" over ID cards

Chris Grayling warned that the Government’s decision not to make ID cards compulsory makes them even more of a “white elephant”.

Alan Johnson, Labour’s Home Secretary, announced today that the public will not be forced to carry an ID card.

Chris, the Shadow Home Secretary, stressed, "If this system is not going to be compulsory...what is the point of it?"

And he said the decision was “symbolic of a Government in chaos”:

"They have spent millions on the scheme so far. The Home Secretary (Alan Johnson) thinks it has been a waste and wants to scrap it, but the Prime Minister won't let him. So we end up with an absurd fudge instead. This is no way to run the country."

Chris added that spending millions on a scheme such as this “makes no sense at all”, stressing, “This is a project that nobody wants and the nation can’t afford."

Cameron promises to give power back to the people

David Cameron set out plans to control the power of the state and make it more accountable to people in a speech at Imperial College.

He attacked Labour for having “diminished personal freedom and diluted political accountability” over the last twelve years.

And he promised, “At the heart of our programme for government will be our intention to change fundamentally the balance of power between the citizen and the state so that ultimately it’s people in control of their government, not the other way round.”

David said a Conservative Government would revoke the “unjustified and unreasonable” powers that let authorities enter your home without your permission, and strengthen the right to trial by jury.

He promised to scrap the ID card scheme and remove innocent people’s records from the DNA database.

And he announced plans to open up information and set public data free:

"In the first year of the next Conservative Government, we will find the most useful information in twenty different areas ranging from information about the NHS to information about schools and road traffic and publish it so people can use it."

David stressed that, taken together, these measures would “increase personal freedom and political accountability, restore trust, and help bring about the new politics we need so badly.”

A Conservative government will scrap the ID Card scheme

Chris Grayling has written to the five suppliers chosen to bid for contracts to deliver Identity Cards, warning them not to sign further contracts for the project because it will be scrapped immediately by an incoming Conservative Government.

The Shadow Home Secretary also warned them to beware of any efforts by the Government to write so-called “poisoned pill” provisions into contracts that might be designed to prevent the cancellation of the project.

Chris said: “We intend to scrap the ID Card project as one of our first acts if we are successful at the election.”

And he added: “I am increasingly concerned that the Government is putting in place contractual arrangements that are designed to tie the hands of a future Government, and I want to make the contractors absolutely aware that we do not intend to complete this work.”

Grayling warns we cannot afford the ID card scheme

Chris Grayling has stressed the nation “cannot afford” Labour's ID card scheme and promised that a Conservative Government would “scrap it as quickly as we can”.

The Shadow Home Secretary said he did not think ID cards were “necessary”, especially at a time when “the public finances are in a mess”

He condemned Jacqui Smith’s decision to launch a voluntary, single city scheme in Manchester, stressing:

“Piloting the scheme in one city is nonsensical and will only serve as a tax on the people of Manchester.”

Chris explained that databases for passports and driving licenses already exist, so spending billions on another scheme “just doesn’t seem to make any sense”.

And he promised that under a Conservative Government “the ID card scheme will go. I don’t think it is the right thing to do. We don’t think the nation cannot afford it and it won’t happen."

Huhne: Government should scrap ridiculous ID Card scheme

Attacking the Governments announcement that from this autumn people in Manchester will be able to apply for an ID Card, Chris Huhne described the scheme as “crazy”.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary said, "It is crazy to fritter away billions of pounds on an unnecessary and intrusive ID card scheme during the biggest crisis in public finances for a generation."

Chris Huhne went on "It shows just how out of touch ministers are that they think charging people through the nose to invade their privacy is acceptable."

"The Government may be able to make guinea pigs of pilots by threatening their jobs but when the rest of us are forced to carry ID cards, ministers will discover that they have a laminated poll tax on their hands."

He concluded "Instead of recruiting chemists and post offices, Jacqui Smith should save us all some money and scrap this ridiculous scheme. When in a hole, stop digging."

Jacqui's at it again. Two crazy plans today!!!

I cannot believe that I am the only person in the UK who is worried about the ammount of power that a woman who can't even get her expense claims right wields in the name of the British public.

The first thing that made me cough was news that she will be increasing police use of tasers. Having seen what happened at the G20 protests I didn't think I could find anything more worrying than more policemen with weapons like that.....until I heard about the second thing.

The second thing that concerns me slightly is that she is planning to allow high street shops to be agents for the identity and passport service. This can best be described as utter lunacy. I guarantee that cases of fraud will rocket as a result.

I don't want an ID card. I will refuse to have one now. There is absolutely no way on God's earth that some spotty underpaid teenager working at Tesco or Carphone Warehouse or anywhere else for that matter who needs to find an extra £50 quid before the weekend so he can get on the yayo with the boys is getting his hands on my personal information. So let it be written, so let it be done!!!

Liberty applauds former Home Secretary’s denunciation of ID cards scheme

(London - 29 April 2009) – Liberty today welcomed former Home Secretary David Blunkett’s dismissal of the identity cards scheme. David Blunkett first put forward the idea of compulsory ID cards when he was Home Secretary in 2001 but has now withdrawn his support for the unpopular plan.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, said:

“Better late than never, the current Home Secretary should learn from her predecessor’s humility and dump the financial, race equality and privacy disaster that is this scheme.

David Blunkett was once the Godfather of ID cards – in the light of his good sense conversion, lets all hope that this grand folly finally sleeps with the fishes.”

The £5.6 billion compulsory ID card scheme has been unsuccessfully touted by the Government as a solution to identity theft, benefit fraud, crime, and terrorism.

Grayling highlights Labour divisions over ID cards

The splits within the Labour Party over the future of their ID card scheme were revealed today.

David Blunkett, the former Home Secretary, called for the scheme to be scrapped and a senior Cabinet minister told a newspaper that it’s unlikely to go ahead.

Meanwhile, the Home Office continued to insist that the ID card scheme will go ahead.

Chris Grayling, the Shadow Home Secretary, accused Labour of being “all over the place” on the issue:

“They have been telling us for years that they are essential, but now it’s clear they are split down the middle over the issue.”

He called on Labour to “accept the inevitable” and scrap the ID scheme right away.

(Home Office) Contracts bring ID cards and more secure passports closer

ID cards and enhanced passports will be introduced under new contracts announced today. The award of contracts for core elements of the National Identity Service and the modernisation of the passport application process brings large scale deployment of ID cards a step closer.

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) is replacing and upgrading its contracts for processing passport applications, which are due to expire in 2009 and 2010, and creating a new secure database for storing the facial and fingerprint images.

Together they will support the introduction of ID cards and allow for vital improvements to the next generation of biometric passports.

Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, said:

"These contracts bring ID cards and more secure British passports a step closer, taking advantage of the best technology available to bring real benefits.

"ID cards and passports with fingerprint and facial biometrics will provide a safe and secure way of protecting personal details and proving identity.

"Our passport is already respected across the world as a Gold Standard for travel documents - these improvements will further help protect our borders."

After a lengthy procurement process, which started with 50 prospective bidders companies in September 2007, CSC has been awarded the £385 million contract to upgrade IPS' application and enrolment system which will provide:

* a new system for processing applications for both passports and ID cards;
* the ability for customers to apply online;
* improved background checking for applications;
* new systems to report lost and stolen passports and ID cards;
* support for customers updating their personal data; and
* new IT and telephony systems for IPS.

IBM was awarded a £265 million contract to continue existing UKBA fingerprinting capabilities and to build and run the database that will store the facial images and fingerprints that are needed to keep the passport in line with international standard, as well as to support the delivery of the ID card. It will provide:

* a database to store the fingerprint and facial biometrics of applicants for passports and ID cards; and

* a replacement for the UK Border Agency's (UKBA) Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint System (IAFS) which holds biometrics collected from visa applicants.

IPS has used best practice from across the public and private sector to ensure these contracts successfully deliver on time and on budget. It has worked to build strong relationships with all the suppliers incorporating rewards for success and disincentives for failure to help deliver the behaviours which will result in the contracts being delivered effectively.

After an initial selection process in May 2008 five potential suppliers were selected to join the IPS framework agreement and bid for contracts. Over the last nine months more than 250 face-to-face meetings with the suppliers allowed IPS to assess each supplier before awarding the contracts.

James Hall, chief executive of the Identity and Passport Service, said:

"The British passport is already one of the most secure in the world and it is vital we maintain that strength by moving with the rest of the international community.

"That is why as we replace expiring contracts we are introducing fingerprint and facial biometric technology to the passport. At the same time we are upgrading our application process to improve the service our customers receive. Both contracts will also help deliver the ID cards programme.

"IBM and CSC have shown they are superbly placed to deliver these large projects and we are delighted they are working with us."

The next generation of passport containing chips with facial images and fingerprints will start to be issued from 2011, at which point customers will get the choice of applying for an ID card as well.

During the next ten years the cost of running IPS and upgrading the British passport is £3.595bn, with an expected spend of £1.190bn for delivering ID cards.

Nick Wilson, President and CEO for CSC's UK operations, said:

"CSC is pleased to be appointed by the UK government to provide services and expertise for this major programme. We look forward to applying our extensive global experience in identity management and critical programmes of this nature, and building on our track record of success in supporting citizen-centric services for governments worldwide."

John Granger, General Manager, IBM Global Business Services, said:

"IBM is pleased to have been selected as the preferred bidder for the National Biometric Identity Service (NBIS) and is working with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) to finalise the contract to signature.

"NBIS is a substantial and sophisticated system and we are pleased that our designs and plans for its implementation have been recognised by this decision.

"We look forward to supporting the IPS to deliver this significant programme and expect it to extend and enhance our existing relationship both with the IPS and the UK Border Agency."

Foreign nationals are already being issued with ID cards and from the autumn staff working airside at Manchester and London City airports will be issued with cards as part of an 18 month evaluation period.

A limited number of British citizens who want to volunteer for an ID card can do so in the autumn, ahead of wider roll-out to young people in 2010.

Holmes: 100 stabbings a week under Labour demonstrate scale of Britain’s knife culture

Nearly 50,000 people have been taken to hospital after being stabbed since 1997, according to figures highlighted by the Liberal Democrats.

The figures, contained in an answer to a Parliamentary Question, show that:

• Since Labour came to power, 49,837 people have been treated in hospitals in England and Wales for stabbings, including 4,510 children
• In the same period, 31,454 people have been treated for injuries caused by blunt objects and 13,145 for gun shot wounds
• The number of children being treated in hospital as a result of being assaulted by a sharp object has increased by 71.7% between 1997 and 2007
• In the same period, hospital admissions for adults with gun shot wounds has risen by 63%; for assaults by sharp objects by 44%; and for assaults by blunt objects by 27%

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson, Paul Holmes said:

"The appalling fact that 50,000 people have been stabbed in the last decade demonstrates the scale of Britain's knife crime culture.

"Ministers tell us that crime is falling, but these figures show that serious attacks using weapons and requiring hospital treatment are on the rise.

"Hospital data is much more reliable because it's free from the meddling hand of Whitehall and cuts through all the problems with crimes going unreported to the police.

"We are locked in a vicious circle where teenagers don't feel safe on our streets and therefore more of them carry knives, which in turn just fuels the spiral of knife crime.

"Instead of spending billions on unworkable and unnecessary ID cards, the Government should spend the money on actually making people safer by putting more police on our streets."