By Steve Ranger, 10 July 2006 12:10
NEWS
Leaked emails from senior civil servants have revealed their fears that the ID cards project is heading for disaster.
In the emails David Foord, mission critical director of identity and defence at the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) criticised the high costs of the project, the "very serious shortage" of qualified staff and the lack of clear benefits on which to demonstrate a return on investment.
According to the emails, published in The Sunday Times, Foord also raised concerns about the National Identity Register (NIR).
One email reportedly said: "Even if everything went perfectly (which it will not) it is very debatable (given performance of government ICT projects) whether... [the NIR] can be procured, delivered, tested and rolled out in just over two years."
And he added: "I conclude that we are setting ourselves up to fail."
The NIR is the heart of the ID cards project. This database will hold personal identity information and biometric data for everyone who has enrolled in the scheme. But concerns have already been raised about the security and viability of such a massive system.
Foord also warned that plans for the introduction of a watered down ID card if botched "could put back the introduction of ID cards for a generation".
Critics of the project were quick to seize on the comments. Phil Booth, national co-ordinator of anti-ID cards group No2ID called for a permanent halt to the project, saying it is "too dangerous" to continue with.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg MP waded in claiming the project is an "uncosted and untested experiment".
But the Home Office insisted the project is still viable. A spokeswoman told silicon.com: "Any suggestion that we have abandoned the introduction of ID cards is wrong. We have always made it clear that the introduction would be in stages and that remains the plan. We are still committed to the introduction of the national identity scheme."
An OGC spokesman told silicon.com "The function of the OGC is to probe and question departments plans in the context of project delivery. The Identity Cards Programme has already had a number of OGC gateway reviews and there will be a shared view of the project with OGC before the Identity and Passport Service moves to procurement."
Read silicon.com's leader on the ongoing ID Cards on Trial campaign and the A to Z of ID cards for the lowdown on this controversial project.
Comments
There are 6 comments. Join the discussion
1. Roger Huffadine
How many times do people who understand large databases, chip & pin and RFID have to voice their professional opinion that the ID card scheme - in its present form - will fail, before this government will take any notice?
There are dozens of reasons why it cannot work. All of them supported by both statistics and firm mathematical theory. Does anyone listen- nah.
2. anonymous
Passports just need to be improved and extended to incorporate more and more secure informaiton.
Whats so difficult about that?
Well, after seeing the NHS IT debackle, one wonders if this government could organize anything that works, does not waste money or lives?
3. anonymous
Passports just need to be improved and extended to incorporate more and more secure informaiton.Whats so difficult about that?Well, after seeing the NHS IT debackle, one wonders if this government could organize anything that works, does not waste money or lives?
4. The Revolutionist
Guy Fawkes had the right idea!
I think its time we all blew parliament sky high!
They dont want to listen, They are not going to listen, They dont care about our freedom.
Control is all important!
Are we all just going to sit on our bums and let them do it?
Unfortunatley yes!
5. galley slave#41
I'VE BEEN WAITING TO SAY IT,
SO HERE IT IS....
"I TOLD YOU SO!
6. Radical Meldrew
How long will it be before a new government appointed saviour for ID cards appears on the scene?
Pro-card fatuous government press releases which say lots but mean absolutely nothing will be carefully leaked to the media.
The old arguments aginst the scheme will be resurected again.
YAWN!!
Lets face facts, whilst we may have halted the tide temporarily, the remains of the flawed master plan are still locked away somewhere in Whitehall just waiting to be revived at the drop of a hat.