EVERYONE in the Test Valley will have to pay around £25 for a compulsory identity card under proposals being put to the cabinet by David Blun-kett, the Home Secretary.

The 'smart' card will identify the holder using iris-recognition technology and use a microchip to hold details including age, place of birth and home address.

The card could also be used to entitle the holder to a range of state benefits, thereby cutting benefit fraud.

Fail-ure to carry the card will not be an offence but police will be able to order people to present it at a police station.

The charge, applicable to everyone is aimed at overcoming resistance to the scheme from the Treasury.