Government unveils UK citizen ID card

The is a mock-up of what an ID card for UK citizens will look like, revealed on Thursday by home secretary Alan Johnson.

The Home Office said it recognises the "concerns that the public have over their information being stored securely and accessed appropriately".

The Home Office told ZDNet UK that the card would have "important security features", including physical engraving, to make it harder for criminals to counterfeit.

"The card is a laser-engraved polycarbonate card which has a secure, high-integrity design incorporating visual security features and tactile security features," said a Home Office spokesperson. "The card contains many security features which are incorporated into the design — some visual such as colour-changing ink, some tactile — the engraved floral design, which will help those presented with the card to check that it is genuine."