The Government’s ID card scheme which only recently obtained the go ahead after much controversy looks likely to be delayed.

The Government’s original intention to complete the first phases of the ID card scheme by 2008 now seem unachievable following the Home Office’s failure to commence the incremental procurement process.

About 160 companies have expressed an interest in the contracts to build and manage the ID card scheme. However, the start-up date has now been put back to September at the earliest whilst the Home Office publishes its industry soundings from last year and sets a date for placing a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

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The original publication date for this article was 14/06/2006.