Even as Blair was announcing his resignation his government was up to its old tricks: burying embarrassing news.

The Home Office has to keep the House of Commons updated on the costs of the ID Card scheme every six months. The latest report was due a month ago yet for some reason was delayed. It was finally released on - surprise surprise - the day when the press were guaranteed to be looking elsewhere.

It's obvious why the Government wants to bury the figures: the projected ten year cost of the ID Card scheme has now risen to over £5 billion.

Five Billion Pounds

Of our money

On a scheme that will rob us of our privacy and reverse the relationship between the individual and the state.

Perhaps the most scary thing about the figures isn't the grand total of £5 billion but the increase. In the last six months alone the cost has risen by £400 million - over £600 million in 2007/8 terms.

Take a deep breath and read that figure again. The cost of this dangerous scheme has risen by half a billion pounds in the last six months. And it hasn't even started yet - what on earth will the final cost be? Remember, this is our money being spent on a system to monitor us

For me money isn't the major factor. I object to compulsory Identity Cards and the National Identity Register (NIR) on principle. That said, the numbers are absolutely staggering.

Five billion pounds

Of our money

Whatever your opinions about the rights and wrongs of the ID Card scheme there's no denying that this money could instead make a massive difference to the UK's schools, health services or pensions.

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