AIBU to think that Digital ID will not stop illegal immigration, and nor is it a good idea?

Not just old people, either.

I've just retired, but I was working with clients with MH issues for decades. A lot of them refused to have smartphones because they believed the government would use it to track them and monitor what they were doing and stuff like that.

And why should people on low incomes be forced to take out contracts for smartphones when they can manage perfectly well with a cheap burner phone?

Agree. And if you’re unhappy about it who cares you’ll need services right? Or access to bank accounts.

Do you have a phone that fits in a trouser pocket?

I need a new phone, mine is ancient, but all the phones I've looked at are too big to go in the pocket of my jeans and I don't want to have to carry a bag everywhere.

Starmer has announced the building of 11 new towns across the uk. What's to bet BlackRock are 'investing' in these - Starmer had a meeting with them about a month ago - then rent the homes out, as opposed to allowing people to buy them as affordable homes.

'You will own nothing and be happy'.

BlackRock and Vanguard will own the UK in time. They will buy up housing stock leaving nothing for anyone but the rich. The future is endless rental and subscriptions to things which will keep people trapped and without choices and freedom.

This country is being destroyed by these people. Starmer just needs to stay in place long enough to cause some damage then hand the baton to the next WEF owned twat and rinse and repeat.

They probably feel fed up, but how are delivery companies getting away with employing illegal migrants? Nobody in the government is capable of addressing this? Id cards won't make a jot of difference to the thousands of employers who are quite happily getting away with employing people illegally. If they're getting away with it now, they'll get away with it when id is introduced.

The so called id card is about tracking and controlling the existing population, not controlling immigration.

When Starmer was asked in an interview would he be loyal to Davos or Parliament he answered Davos. This malignant entity has absolutely no loyalty to our country and does not intend to put us first, or even second. He's an utter snake (no insult to snakes).

How is this what we’re looking at? Incredible

Yes this sums it up. Many good posts on this thread @EsmaCannonballpost too re access and control

Perhaps all those worried about illegal working should collect their own takeaways.

Oh fair enough if seen leaving from the migrant hotels. However how do you think the totally legitimate Deliveroo ( Uber, just eat, stuart) drivers feel when people lump them in with the illegals?

Employers are already legally obliged to check that people have the 'right' to work, and can be fined something like £45k for employing someone who's not meant to be working in the UK.
Most law-abiding employers already have a system of checking passports/ photographic ID, as they (understandably) don't want to be fined. They don't need a new form of digital ID to be invented in order to do this.

Colleges and universities also have a legal duty to check students' status, and landlords (incl housing associations) have a legal duty to check their tenants. They are not demanding new digital ID either.

Dodgy employers/ landlords/ supposed 'colleges' who seek to financially exploit people who lack the legal right to work/rent/ study will continue operating as they do right now, i.e. under the radar. The introduction of digital ID will make no difference to them.

In every other country with ID cards/ digital ID, there is still a black market in employment.

We know that at least 5% of the UK population (many of them over 70 and/or on a low income) do not have access to the internet, and a higher % do not own smart phones.

A PP made the laughable suggestion that digital ID could be used by the police to identify a confused/ vulnerable/ demented person found wandering around - this would only work if (a) they owned a smart phone in the first place; (b) had it with them while they were wandering around; (c) the police who came across them were able to turn it on and work out the password/code (& would you really trust them with vulnerable people's passcodes?!)

What happens if you lose your phone? Or it gets stolen?
Would this result in more phone theft? And more data hacking by criminals?

Its already happened on a smaller scale with facial recognition.

Spanish healthcare is a lot better than the NHS…

Are you getting confused with the physical ID cards? Because that’s not what Starmer is proposing. He’s talking about a digital ID, held on an app, which is not the same thing at all.

@Lullabycrickets23 It might not stop illegal immigration in one da, but it’s a tool that can be used How? In what possible way could it make any possible contribution to either impacting on illegal migration or preventing illegal working?

I fail to see how it would have any impact on people working illegally. Most organisations employing people without the correct status are aware of what they are doing. You have to provide a lot of id when joining any company legitimately , NI number, references etc but obviously not if it's cash in hand and half of normal rates. I think it just an excuse to speed up the introduction of digital ID.

We already have a national identity system for employment - the national insurance number.

Those working illegally work without NI number, they will also work without a digital ID card as there will be employers who will take them on.

Ironically we will need our NI number and passport to gain a national identity card. Still at least we will be lining the pockets of Tony Blair’s son.

Multiverse, the Company that will do the UK's Digital ID app is founded by Euan Blair...

I did wonder what was in it for Tony Blair now i know

Scandalous!

Multiverse....the Company chosen to produce the UK's Digital ID app..... was founded by... Euan Blair...... Yup.... the SON of former Labour PM: TONY BLAIR

America doesn’t nor Australia

we have NI numbers. Employers should check right to work.

this is just thin end of the wedge.

“Sir Tony Blair’s think tank has called for the Government’s digital ID policy to go further.
Alexander Iosad, director of government innovation policy, said: “The prime minister is right to say in his speech today that we need to show people the state is on their side and make it work for them. Digital ID can and should be the gateway to this.
“The contribution digital ID can make to combatting illegal migration and the criminal groups that exploit desperate people is part of this. But importantly, digital ID can do so much more for our citizens, our communities, and our country.
“Imagine being pre-approved and notified about the services, benefits or tax breaks you’re entitled to, no more lengthy forms, no waiting, no more backdating. Issues in your community reported at a tap and tracking progress on those reports with complete transparency. A new generation of public services built on fairness, control and convenience – personalised, preventative, always on.”

EuropeanPowell on X: "This does not rule out Palantir's involvement. The claim that Multiverse, led by Euan Blair, is the company chosen to produce the "Brit Card" does not necessarily rule out Palantir's hand in this. Here’s why: Multiverse’s Role is"chosen to produce the UK's Digital ID app,"" / X https://share.google/85FP9UOue7f9QXJMM

Urgh, Palantir and a Blair progeny, how distasteful can you get?

It's one tool to help stop it
And will have a range of other really useful applications

When you see them leaving on bikes with deliveroo bags from migrant hotels.

This isn't going to be just an identification card 🤦🏼‍♀️ this is how it starts then more and more will be included in it. The migrant thing is a smokescreen.

If they're that bothered about tax dodging and illegal workers, why aren't they shutting down the dodgy barbers/vape shops/nail bars?

How do you know which Deliveroo drivers are legal and which aren't out of interest?

It might not stop illegal immigration in one da, but it’s a tool that can be used.
I see that not everyone might see this the same way, but for me is normally to carry an Id. I always found it a bit odd that Uk doesn’t have one.
Say you have an accident or are unconscious, no one would know who you are? I always found this a bit odd, but that’s my opinion.
Regarding controlling immigration, no I don’t think my original country is too happy about it, but that’s mostly because the law is not properly applied by immigration police and general police.
If they are willing to seriously apply the laws, then I think an ID could be an asset.
NiN and birth certificates and all I think can be forged more easily as they don’t have a picture and people could fake them more easily?

The Lib Dem’s are against it for a start. I’ve just signed the petition