MANCHESTER could become one of the first areas in Britain to have identity cards, it emerged today.

Home secretary Jacqui Smith said the city was a 'strong contender' to be a pilot area when the government starts rolling out the cards across Britain in 2011.

Ms Smith said during a visit to Manchester today that the cards - which will cost up to £30 - were about 'less bother' rather than 'Big Brother'.

Critics said there was no public support for the scheme and recent data losses proved it could never be secure.

The home secretary was discussing ID cards at Wythenshawe's Newall Green High School and at a speech for business leaders in Manchester town hall.

ID cards are compulsory for foreign nationals and workers at certain airports, including Manchester Airport. They have been issued since November last year.

Compulsory

Home Office sources say there are no plans to make them compulsory for the public.

Ms Smith said: "As the cards become more widely available the whole country will see real benefits for citizens, businesses and the country by giving a convenient and secure proof of identity that locks people to one identity.

"That is why we have brought forward our plans and this year will begin offering identity cards on a voluntary basis, giving British nationals the chance to access the benefits of identity cards as soon as possible.

 "Those benefits include increased protection against identity fraud for the individual and help in protecting our communities against criminals, illegal immigrants and terrorists trying to exploit multiple identities."

Ms Smith said the cards would help to combat terrorism - even if they could not completely prevent it. She said: "I've never said we can completely prevent terrorism through the use of ID cards.

Terrorist

 "What I do know is that the al-Qaida training manual tells those who want to carry out terrorist attacks things that they should do, such as get hold of several identities.

"If we can prevent criminals and terrorists from getting hold of false identities, that helps us in our campaign against terrorism."

 The Home Office estimates that by April more than 50,000 ID cards will have been issued to foreign nationals. The cost of the scheme is about £4.8bn, according to a Home Office estimate two months ago.

Dave Page, Manchester co-ordinator of the NO2ID campaign, said: "Jacqui Smith is trying to reassure people that biometric data is secure when she herself had her fingerprints stolen.

"People do not believe it would be secure and according to polls, for every one person who supports they scheme there are two that utterly oppose it."

Sabina Frediani, campaigns co-ordinator for Liberty, criticised Ms Smith for discussing the issue while visiting a school. She said: "Schools are places for education not indoctrination and we urge the home secretary to reconsider the appropriateness of pushing ID cards to our kids."