The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, revealed in a visit to the region that we could be “in the running” to take part.

But the idea has been condemned by the Liberal Democrats’ Bolton West Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Jackie Pearcey, who said: “All ID cards will do is put a huge amount of data into computer systems which this Government has shown skill in losing.  ID cards will not stop burglaries, carjackings, muggings or even most frauds.  They won’t stop internet crime, thefts or assault.  They won’t stop benefits fraud, as most benefits fraud concerns the amount of benefits that people claim, not who they are. ”

“In fact, all such a pilot scheme will do is cost the citizens of Greater Manchester and leave us open to every petty official demanding ID before they provide us with a basic service,” she added.