Why Did 13,200 People Sign Up For Manchester’s ID Card White Elephant?
THOSE ID cards trialled in Manchester have been a…failure.
Back in May 2009, then Home Secretary Jacqui Smith (yes, that really did happen) trilled:
“While private companies will clearly benefit from the increased footfall from offering this service, their customers will benefit from being able to quickly provide their biometrics while they are out doing the shopping.”
Well, in all 13,200 people signed up to the scheme. It cost £292m. All the cards have now been cancelled.
And, as the MEN reports:
Participants who forked out £30 for the documents have been told they will not get refunds.
Damian Green, the home office minister, says:
“The Identity Card Scheme was intrusive, bullying, ineffective and expensive.”
Yes. It was.
Still, here’s Leigh Labour MP Andy Burnham:
“The Tory-Lib Dem government are trying to make the cards a totem of what our government stood for– but I think they were a good idea and many people are still be in favour of them.”
Ask them again how in favour of it they are when the local wonks and airport employees cajoled into getting a card don’t get their money back…
Spotter: Karen
Posted: 30th, December 2010 | In: Politicians Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
