The Government's plan to bring in identity cards is running behind schedule and the cost is soaring, according to critics.
Ministers have revealed they have spent £69m on opening 59 passport interview centres that will form the core of the ID registration network.
Opponents have warned that the £5.3bn ID cards scheme could be hit by the same problems that engulfed other Government IT projects, including the NHS computer system.
The Liberal Democrats, who uncovered the latest costings through parliamentary questions, claim it is already unravelling.
Interviews for passports were due to start in "late 2006", according to the Home Office's initial timetable. In January this year, the Government admitted they would not start after after the new financial year began in April. The sessions finally started in May in two places – even though 454 staff had been recruited by October 2006.
The Government had planned to find 69 offices at a cost of £55m by the end of 2006. By October 2006, it had found 21 offices, by March this year, 39 offices and by June, 59 offices. By July, only 531 people had been interviewed.
Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesman, said: "The Government has made a total mess of introducing interviews for first-time passport applicants. The project has gone over-time, over-budget and still isn't working properly."
He asked: "How can we possibly believe it will be able to introduce the infinitely more complicated identity cards scheme, which will be based on the same infrastructure, when it can't even deliver this basic system? It is time to pull the plug on the ID cards proposals before we waste any more taxpayers' money on this expensive white elephant."
Last night, the Home Office admitted the initial costs seemed high but insisted the ID card scheme was on schedule.
A spokesman said: "Passport interview centres are a long-term initiative designed to protect individuals from criminal activity connected to identity theft.
"Initial set-up costs when compared to the initial level of interviews conducted will appear high but this average figure will reduce dramatically as the network comes up to full speed. The Government is determined to ensure British passports remain among the most secure in the world by protecting passport holders by deterring and preventing fraudulent applications."
The Identity and Passport Service estimates the cost of providing and running interview offices for the first year at around £58m, paid for by passport fees. "The majority of these expenses are down to necessary set-up costs including leasing accommodation, employing staff and training," said the spokesman.
Yesterday, ministers dismissed reports that Gordon Brown was to abandon plans to bring in compulsory ID cards for everyone. Mr Brown opposed the idea in cabinet debates during Tony Blair's tenure but has been convinced that it should go ahead.
Lord West of Spithead, the Security minister and former First Sea Lord, told the BBC's Politics Show: "National identity cards will play an important part, a very important part in countering terrorism, there's no doubt about that. I mean, one can think of all sorts of reasons one might not like them, but actually, in terms of counter-terrorism, they will be extremely useful."
Biometric identification will be introduced for foreign nationals next year and the first ID cards for British citizens will be issued in 2009. Initially, people will be issued with an ID card when they apply for a first adult passport or want to renew one.
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