Brown to push ahead with ID card scheme

Gordon Brown will stick with the identity cards scheme when he takes over at No10, it was claimed today.

He appears to be warming to the £5billion project but will focus on its advantages to business and individuals rather than its value in combating terrorism.

There are now signs that the Chancellor and the Treasury - both of whom were initially highly sceptical - have come to support a version of the cards.

He is understood to be concerned about the rising cost of identity fraud and believes biometric cards should go ahead if they can within budget.

Mr Brown has commissioned former HBOS chief Sir James Crosby to look at potential benefits to business and customers, and has delayed publication of the report until he becomes prime minister.

The review team has consulted London School of Economics experts, who were highly critical of the original proposal on cost and workability grounds.

Academic Simon Burns, who has talked to the Crosby review, said: "I think Gordon Brown wants to create clear blue water between himself as premier and Tony Blair on the ID programme, without scrapping it like the Tories want. The Crosby report will help him justify such a move."

Meanwhile Labour party sources say Mr Brown is considering a new "British Day to celebrate traditional national values. But he is understood to oppose a bank holiday because of the cost to the economy.