The UK's expensive and high-technology ID card has been abandoned by the new government.

Home Secretary Theresa May has said that all existing cards will be invalid and the 15,000 who bought them will not get a refund. The idea was aimed at tackling fraud, illegal immigration and identity theft - but it was criticised for being too expensive and an infringement of civil liberties. While ID cards are common throughout the EU, British people have always had a problem with them. The cards were probably a case of a government running before it could walk.

The cards were designed to hold personal biometric data on an encrypted chip, including name, a photograph and fingerprints. The supporting National Identity Register was designed to hold up to 50 pieces of information. A short abolition bill will be pushed through Parliament as quickly as possible with the aim of cards being invalid by 3 September. Once the cards are illegal the  National Identity Register which had been built will be "physically destroyed".

Officials are renegotiating two contracts worth £650m with companies who had agreed to deliver parts of the scheme. It's not clear how much the government will need to pay compensation, but officials say there is no "poisoned pill" in the deals and they expect to save £86m once all exit costs are met.