Ministers have been accused of trying to introduce compulsory identity cards through the back door, despite promises that people will not have to carry them. Liberty, the civil liberties group, says that little noticed clauses in the draft immigration and citizenship bill introduce new powers to make people produce identity documents or face arrest.

South Tyneside College chiefs have welcomed new Government rules to fingerprint all overseas students.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has unveiled the design for the controversial new identity card.

The UK’s Identity & Passport Service (IPS) has shortlisted companies from its pool of suppliers that will now bid for the different parts of the country’s national identity card scheme. The decision on which firms will be awarded contracts is expected in 2009.

From 25 November 2008 the Home Office will begin issuing identity cards to those applying for further leave to remain as a student or the husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner of someone holding permanent residence in the UK.

After The Times disclosed that new passports could be cloned and manipulated in minutes and would then be accepted as genuine, opposition MPs gave warning of serious implications for the security of the Government’s £4.7 billion identity card scheme.

The Home Office has announced that application forms for students and marriages will now incorporate a new section for ID cards.