Identity cards should be provided free as a way of winning the “hearts and minds” of the public, the Government’s own expert recommended yesterday.

Sir James Crosby, commissioned by Gordon Brown to write a report on the subject, also cautioned against including a digital image of fingerprints on an ID card’s microchip. He said that for security reasons the card and database should hold only some biometric elements.

The proposals from Sir James, the former chief executive of the HBOS banking group, came as Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, promised that 80 per cent of Britons would have a biometric identity card within nine years.

The Home Office is planning to charge £30 for a stand-alone card, and about £93 for a combined passport and ID card. Ms Smith outlined plans to encourage a speedy take-up of the card aimed at achieving a critical mass behind the controversial project.

Millions of Britons may face pressure to apply for cards because of the nature of their jobs. Two hundred thousand airport workers, staff and volunteers at the 2012 Olympics, and power station employees could be forced to apply from next year.

Ms Smith promised to cut £1 billion from the £5.6 billion cost of the scheme, largely by allowing private companies to fingerprint and photograph applicants. She said that the aim was to introduce the cards by 2017 – two years ahead of previous plans.

Foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area will be issued with the compulsory card from November and within three years all foreign nationals arriving in Britain will have to have a card.

Young people over 16 will be able to apply for a card from 2010. Everyone applying for or renewing a passport will be entered on a national identity register – a database of fingerprints and other details – from 2011-12.

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