Notwithstanding the leaked emails, jittery officials and changing dates, the national biometric identity cards scheme is probably in better shape than ever.

It is true that the procurement is delayed before it has even started, and there is no feasible chance of meeting the original target for issuing the first cards in 2008. But to announce the timetable before even thinking about how or when they will be achieved has long been considered extremely bad practice, and that those dates are now changing should come more as a relief than a surprise.

Similarly, that the Home Office is rethinking the biometrics plan – or even considering scrapping it altogether – is neither a disaster nor a sign of incompetence.

Quite the reverse.

Computing has long argued that the conception of the scheme in terms of Home Office security priorities is limited in imagination, unwieldy in application and unjustifiable in cost.

The fact that Identity and Passport Service officials and members of the Office of Government Commerce review team are highly critical of the original scheme should be welcomed.

And the fact that Ian Watmore, head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, is now emphasising identity management as a whole – with more potential uses in private sector transactions than the business of government – should also be applauded. It means that the proposal is finally being considered in terms of ‘freedom to’, rather than ‘freedom from’, and that it might even be worth the cost.

While potentially embarrassing in a world focused on facile political statements, if the card itself plays a lesser role and takes longer to be rolled out, the scheme will stand a better chance of being technically successful and, ultimately, useful.

Computing has always maintained that ubiquitous electronic identification would be a huge step forward for UK plc. The opportunity should not be squandered, either on a bargain-basement plan designed only to meet an arbitrary timetable, or through knee-jerk criticism more concerned with politics than reality.

What do you think? Email us at: feedback@computing.co.uk