Retailers have called upon the government to fast-track its plans to introduce a UK-wide identity card scheme.
The new cards, unveiled by home secretary David Blunkett this week, are expected to include a photograph of the cardholder and date of birth, enabling them to be used as a proof of age. Trials of the cards started this week but they will not become compulsory before 2013.
TM Retail trading director Paul Baxter welcomed the draft bill but he said: “I would rather it came in a lot quicker. If they could introduce it next year it would be better.”
Unwins marketing director Ian McLearnon said the cards would serve as an effective proof of age mechanism, assisting staff in deciding whether to sell alcohol to potentially underage clients.
He said: “I think it is a long time to wait, given the current climate on sales of alcohol. They have to do something sooner, perhaps by improving existing cards to include biometric information.”
Bargain Booze marketing manager Matt Leach said: “The more tools we have for checking people’s age the better.”
Meanwhile CitizenCard chief executive Andrew Chevis said the CitizenCard ID card scheme would remain in place until the government scheme came in. He said: “We are very pleased that finally a draft bill has been published. It’s still a long way off, we want to accelerate the process and will continue to lobby MPs.”
The new cards, unveiled by home secretary David Blunkett this week, are expected to include a photograph of the cardholder and date of birth, enabling them to be used as a proof of age. Trials of the cards started this week but they will not become compulsory before 2013.
TM Retail trading director Paul Baxter welcomed the draft bill but he said: “I would rather it came in a lot quicker. If they could introduce it next year it would be better.”
Unwins marketing director Ian McLearnon said the cards would serve as an effective proof of age mechanism, assisting staff in deciding whether to sell alcohol to potentially underage clients.
He said: “I think it is a long time to wait, given the current climate on sales of alcohol. They have to do something sooner, perhaps by improving existing cards to include biometric information.”
Bargain Booze marketing manager Matt Leach said: “The more tools we have for checking people’s age the better.”
Meanwhile CitizenCard chief executive Andrew Chevis said the CitizenCard ID card scheme would remain in place until the government scheme came in. He said: “We are very pleased that finally a draft bill has been published. It’s still a long way off, we want to accelerate the process and will continue to lobby MPs.”
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