Blunkett pushes for ID cards

David Blunkett has risked antagonising Cabinet colleagues by calling for legislation on identity cards to be included in the next Queen's Speech.

The home secretary argued that the legislation should be included because at present he "hasn't got a clue" on the number of illegal immigrants in the UK.

Details of the government's next legislative programme will be unveiled on November 26.

And while Blunkett has been advocating the introduction of a compulsory identification system, recent reports have suggested that senior Cabinet ministers are deeply uneasy about the plan.

"There are genuine scepticisms," the home secretary acknowledged in an interview with BBC 1's Breakfast With Frost programme.

"Yes, there are really vigorous debates going on about how compulsory is compulsory. But my own view is that the minimum is that you can't actually work, or draw on services, register for services unless you have that card."

He added that it was his "hope" that time could be found for the necessary legislation.

"We are debating the Queen's Speech at the moment, let's see if we can get that through," he said.

Setting out the reasons for introducing such a card, Blunkett highlighted the need to tackle the number of illegal immigrants now living in Britain.

Asked about how many are now here, he admitted: "I haven't got a clue...The reason we haven't is, of course, because we don't have a rigorous and enforceable identification system linked to a register of all those who are in the country."

Blunkett said the move would help to re-establish public trust in the asylum and immigration system.

And he added that the card would not have to be carried at all times by members of the public.

"They wouldn't have to carry it in the street, but they would have to produce it when required," he said.