The poll questioned participants using the Government’s current figures for the cost of the card and passport combined – £93. Earlier polls had used the then predicted lower cost of £85 for the combined card and passport.
Critics predict that costs will go even higher. A report by the London School of Economics leaked last month and due to be published shortly, puts the costs at as much as £300 per person.
"We are unsurprised at this clear evidence of growing public scepticism,” said Phil Booth, NO2ID National Coordinator. “The Government knows from international experience that public support for ID cards falls drastically as people discover more about them, which is why they have been so eager to steamroller the legislation through Parliament.”
The survey of 1,000 UK adults shows that 43% of the population now thinks that ID cards are a bad or very bad idea. In the December ICM poll only 17% of those surveyed thought that ID cards were a bad idea or a very bad idea.
The ID Card Bill was reintroduced into Parliament several weeks ago, and is likely to be given a rough reception in the House of Commons. First time round, those opposed to the Bill had sufficient support to ensure that it ran out of time in the run up to the General Election on 5th May. The Government is likely to find its task even more difficult this time in view of Labour’s reduced majority.
Many Labour MPs are uneasy about the Bill and the Liberal Democrats have pledged to oppose it. The Conservative party has so far given a mixed response to the proposals, first voting in favour, then abstaining in a second vote.
"Now that the opposition parties are against the Bill, Labour MPs would do well to note the growing discontent in the country – or they could find themselves voting for what will become Labour's Poll Tax,” warned Booth.
