THE Government's proposed identity card scheme was condemned at Kirklees Council as expensive and unnecessary.
Cabinet member Clr Dennis Hullock said: "In reality, it has little chance of achieving its aims, including that of improved national security".
He said estimates of the costs had risen from £3.1bn in 2002 to £5.5bn in 2004.
Clr Hullock said: "The amount of public money that this scheme will eventually cost to set up and maintain will, no doubt, far exceed Government predictions."
He added: "I can't help but think that all of this money could be better spent elsewhere."
