Burying bad news

It's been reported on the BBC website that the cost of the ID card scheme has risen to £5.31bn. Why can't the government make estimates that are even in the same ball park as the final figures? Every time they value it, the cost seems to rise by another few hundred million. And you just know it isn't going to work when we all have to take them up in 2010 - there are going to be errors left, right and centre - a hacker's dream. Don't be surprised if you missed this story - the Home Office put the statement out the same time that Blair was giving his resignation speach this afternoon (even though they have known about this for some time). Another Blair legacy to add to the list - burying bad news.