HUME – MINISTERS MUST FIGHT ID CARD PLAN

12.00.00am GMT Fri 14th Mar 2008

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, has today voiced concerns on Identity Card plans following a leaked Home Office document which suggests that young people will require an identity card to secure a student loan or bank account. The previous Executive secured an agreement with the Westminster Government that ID cards would not be required to access devolved services.

Jim Hume said:-

“I am seriously concerned about the impact this proposed Home Office strategy could have on Scottish students. The Scottish Government must stand up for students and ensure this ID card plan does not impact on Scotland.

“Liberal Democrats are opposed to ID cards and fought hard in the previous administration to secure an agreement that ID cards would not be required for access to devolved services. Student loans in Scotland are devolved and any suggestion that ID cards would be a prerequisite for accessing loans clearly contravenes this agreement.

The MSP continued:-

“I hope that the Scottish Government will hold true to its word and maintain the position of the previous administration that the UK ID card will not be required to access devolved services.