18,000 local people put at risk by HMRC fiasco

3.00.00pm GMT Wed 21st Nov 2007

Local MP Tim Farron has hit out at the Government today after it emerged that the details of almost 20,000 people in South Lakeland have been lost following the debacle of the CDs 'lost in the post'. Mr Farron has questioned the ability of the Government to successfully roll out an ID cards scheme, which would necessitate keeping the personal details of every person in Britain, if they cannot keep the details of child benefit recipients securely.

Tim Farron said:

"If it wasn't obvious enough that ID cards are a bad idea already, this incident really ought to put the final nail in the coffin of the Government's plans. Almost 20,000 people in South Lakeland will be anxiously checking their bank statements over the next few days and weeks, all because this Government is unable to keep their details safe, this is completely unacceptable."