National ID scheme is on the cards

The pub trade has welcomed news that a national ID cards scheme could be a step closer.

MPs have complained that Home Secretary David Blunkett is attempting to sneak through a compulsory scheme, despite agreeing with colleagues to hold back until later this decade.

But chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations (FLVA), Tony Payne has given his full backing to proposals. He said: "We wrote to David Blunkett on this issue and I strongly support it.

"As well as helping the government on issues of national security they will help licensees with proof of age and also protect them against credit card fraud.

"The are cards used in other countries so I don't understand why anyone would be frightened of using them here."

The scheme also has support from The Portman Group, which operates its own proof-of-age card, Prove It (pictured)​, launched in 1990.

David Poley, a spokesman for The Portman Group said: "If the government expects licensees not to serve under 18s then it would be useful if they provided something that would help with that.

"We have always said that we'd like the government to provide a reliable proof of age card and are in favour of the ID cards. In the mean time publicans know they use our very successful proof of age card with confidence."

The Home Secretary is expected to publish his proposals within weeks, which could result in a voluntary ID card scheme leading to compulsory one, without an act of Parliament being passed.