The A to Z of ID cards

X is for Xenophobia

There are an estimated 430,000 illegal migrants living in the UK, and the scheme will enable employers to check the immigration status of job applicants and any visa restrictions that mean they cannot legally work in the UK. But civil liberties groups and opposition politicians have criticised the focus on immigration, warning it could fuel domestic tensions.

Privacy campaigners also claim that the government has forced the cards on foreign nationals to get the cards because they are a "soft target" and less able to defend themselves.