The use of Covid passports to get into pubs, cafés and other local businesses would be an attack on personal freedoms, as well as bad for business, a top Liberal Democrat councillor has said.

The Government is still thought to be considering the rollout of some form of Covid vaccination ID scheme as part of its plans to further ease lockdown - although details of just how such a scheme might work have yet to be revealed.

Cllr Andrew Waller, York's executive member for economy and strategic planning, warned any such scheme could set a 'dangerous precedent'.

He said: "I have genuine concerns that by giving the Government a free pass to roll out such ID cards we could be setting a dangerous precedent.

"This could see business recovery and our personal freedoms directly impacted. Based on their past attempts, the thought of a Government-controlled app holding your most personal details and acting as a passport to freedoms should be of concern.

“It's absolutely right to have a certification to travel internationally whilst we’re still in a health emergency. A Covid passport, if required for smaller facilities and businesses, however, risks creating a two-tier society. This would leave those unable to take the vaccine, unable to access an online application and young people, barred from those businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector.

“For local businesses this would come as a major burden at a time when they are focusing their efforts on survival and recovery.”