Consulting firm to develop ID cards

The awarding of the contract was announced by home secretary David Blunkett who said: 'We are determined to get it right and bringing in (outside) expertise...at this early stage will help us do that.'

The first ID cards are due to be operational in 2007/2008. Last month the government published legislation to bring in a compulsory scheme.

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PA Consulting will be involved in detailed feasibility and testing projects.

The firm is a management, systems and technology consulting firm and operates in more than 35 countries, employing 3,000 people.