David Blunkett will today urge business leaders to support plans for "entitlement" cards, similar to those recently introduced for asylum seekers.

In a speech to the CBI, the home secretary will outline plans for identity cards which include a photograph and biometrically stored fingerprints, but would also give details of entitlement to benefits and public services.

While it would be compulsory to own a card, it would not be illegal to leave home without it.