The introduction of an identity card scheme could prove beneficial to those who holiday within Europe, it has been claimed.

According to Sean Tipton, spokesman for ABTA – The Travel Association, identity cards could be used for travel to the EU and would remove the need for a passport for such breaks, which could be of interest to those who own either a Spanish property or a French property.

"If you look at it, when we go abroad the majority of our holidays are within the EU," said Mr Tipton.

He also pointed out that to travel within the EU, British people do not "strictly need" a passport, which those who own overseas property may already know.

His comments followed claims from the government that scrapping the identity cards scheme would not help to save cash, as the initiative will be "self-financing".

However, the Conservative party said that this statement was based on the idea that huge amounts of people would buy the card.

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