Manchester 'could pilot ID cards'

Ministers say public support for ID cards is high

Manchester could be one of the testing grounds for the government's ID cards scheme, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said during a visit to the city.

Manchester would be "in the running" to take part in the next phase of the scheme, she said, in which young people will be encouraged to apply for cards.

Ms Smith said many young people saw the need for ID cards to prove their identity in a "safe and secure way".

But civil liberties groups accused her of trying to "indoctrinate" youngsters.

'Real benefits'

Critics argue the cards will be hugely expensive, invasive and will not help in the fight against terrorism and organised crime as the government believes.

Ministers will give details later this year of a number of so-called "beacon areas" where people aged over 16 will be able to volunteer for cards.

As the cards become more widely available, the whole country will see real benefits Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary

The cards, which will contain details of a person's fingerprints, National Insurance number and address, will then be offered to the rest of the population from 2011.

After taking part in a discussion on the ID scheme at a school in the Wythenshawe area of Manchester, Ms Smith said people saw the merits of the cards - which will cost