Gov't: ID cards still have majority support

A majority of the public remains in support of the National Identity Scheme, according to the latest figures from the Identity and Passport Service.

The latest tracking research on the scheme, carried out by Taylor Nelson Sofres and published on Wednesday, claims that 60 percent are in favour, with 24 percent against, 14 percent neutral and 2 percent who don't know.

This compares with figures from a year previously that showed support at 61 percent, with 20 percent in opposition, 17 percent neutral and 2 percent not knowing. The research behind these figures was carried out before a string of reports concerning the loss of personal data by government bodies.

The leading reason for opposing the scheme in the new research is that it would infringe personal freedom (cited by 33 percent of respondents), followed by a belief that the scheme will not work (25 percent), that it is unnecessary (21 percent) and too expensive (19 percent).

The new research involved questioning 2,135 people in the first week of August.

Phil Booth, co-ordinator of the NO2ID campaign, told GC News that the IPS figures are unreliable because they reflect 'push' questions, in which people are asked if they support the card only after being told of the benefits expected from the service.

The figures contrast with the findings of other polls this year. In August, NO2ID reported that a survey it commissioned from ICM found that 48 percent of people supported ID cards, with 46 percent against; and only 35 percent supported the full National Identity Scheme, with 63 percent against. In April, a YouGov poll for The Daily Telegraph showed 43 percent in favour of the scheme and 48 percent against.

Booth predicted that opposition will increse as the roll out of the cards begins.

"As the Home Office starts to issue the cards, we would expect to see a great difference in the next round, even in their own skewed questionnaire," he said. "They won't be able to delude themselves much longer."