Clarke for ID cards

Students could be required to carry an identity card with "biometric" data proving who they are before starting a university course or applying for a student loan.

Charles Clarke, education secretary, told the Commons home affairs select committee this week that he favoured ID cards as a means of cutting down fraud. Mr Clarke's comments followed publication of Home Office proposals for ID cards carrying facial recognition data to be introduced in 2005 followed by fingerprint details in 2007.