The home secretary and the Scottish executive appear at odds over the planned introduction of identity cards, the Scottish National Party has said.

The nationalists also warned that David Blunkett's plans could be "the thin end of the wedge" towards a compulsory system.

"When the original idea of the scheme was floated two tears ago, the Home Office seemed to concede that this would be a matter devolved to the Scottish parliament, but now they've gone over the heads of those in Scotland to decide that Glasgow should be one of the areas to pilot the programme," said SNP home affairs spokesman Annabelle Ewing.

"It now appears that the executive had no idea at all that the measures announced today would be implemented in Scotland. 

"Rather than hanging on Blunkett's coattails, the Scottish executive should start standing up for Scotland's interests by telling Westminster that the cards are unwanted and unnecessary, and that the £3.1 billion should be better spent elsewhere."

She also called for the Holyrood parliament to be consulted on the plans.

"The fact of the matter is that the majority within the parliament in Edinburgh are against the proposal," Ewing said.

"If these cards are to be eventually used to determine access to services such as health and education, the parliament should have its say now."