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

[Westfacing]

How will this prevent boat crossings?

As well as.

It's one more layer of bureaucracy that will end in chaos and make billions for Capita, Fujitsu, Huawe, etc., whoever gets the contract.

^This.

Who has mentioned freedoms?

I feel like we already have it via national insurance number.

Also I have to show my photo id when picking up packages. Also for some apps I’ve had to upload my id.

People who hire illegal immigrants and pay them cash in hand won’t care about id cards and businesses who don’t hire illegal workers already have checks in place.

So although I’m not opposed to the idea, I don’t see how it will make a difference.

It won't, but they know ID cards are unpopular and it will be likely win public support if they say it will tackle illegal immigration.

European nations that have digital ID have seen no different in illegal immigration.

Blair has wanted this for decades. He has made various excuses for it; boost the economy, act as a vaccine passport (ban unvaccinated people from restaurants etc), stop illegal immigration.

So will the government have to buy smartphones for all adults that don't have one?

I think it would be useful for people who don't have any photo ID in the form of a passport or driving licence. But I'm hearing so many negative views about the scheme, regarding security in keeping our information safe,I'm beginning to wonder if it is such a good idea.

Other countries have it, I think it's a good idea.

It won't be long before sites like this require digital ID to use, and therefore all of your comments are tied to your ID and a ban from social media could be a black mark against you and you could find it hard to open a bank account.

I’m not keen and I don’t see how it would make any difference. If someone is employing people illegally then they will just continue to do so, surely?

@Westfacing - ok - semantics ‘why don’t you want Digital ID’?

@Westfacing - ok - semantics ‘why don’t you want Digital ID’?

@Westfacing - ok - semantics ‘why don’t you want Digital ID’?

@Westfacing - ok - semantics ‘why don’t you want Digital ID’?

That's one way of filling the thread...

This! Employers already are meant to check right to work in the U.K. if they’re not doing this then why would they check a digital id. It’s nonsense. Someone in the government or their mates will be making a huge amount of money is my suspicion.

and I believe the draw is the English language. It’s a global language.

No ID, no benefits, no housing, no job, no healthcare, no nothing.

I'm personally quite happy to lose some freedoms in order to remove people from the UK who should not be here.

Where I live there's a visible problem with illegal deliveroo workers (certainly hundreds, probably thousands of them) and a huge shanty village site in a central location that border force and the police don't want to touch despite fire setting and pollution problems.

There's no question about their status. The IDs would change nothing. It's just going to make life a bit more miserable for everyone. If a Prime Minister really wanted to stop what they describe as the problem they'd legislate (primary legislation so it can't be judicially reviewed away) to require deportation prior to accessing immigration tribunals, remove legal aid and possibly put a legal duty on the police and local authorities to act. But they won't because they don't actually want to do anything that might be effective because they're against doing so but don't have the courage to say so and want to pander to the people for whom it's a priority.

Tldr ofc they won't work.

It’s a very, very bad idea. Do you know the other country where you need to show id to live? Communist China.

The government are facilitating illegal immigration to bring in Digital ID. The people who hire illegals will not check their digital ID.

Sorry Elizabeth, no meat for you this week as you used your car last week. Sorry Marcus, no bottle of wine for you, you bought one two days ago. It’s a slave system that will start off innocuously until the frog is boiled and our children are living in a digital prison.

People who cannot drive do not have a Driving Licence.
People who cannot go abroad for any reason do not have a Passport.

You need photo ID to
vote in council and general elections
to sell a house
to buy a house
to instruct a solicitor for divorce
to open a bank account.

These were all things I could not do these past two years due to not having photo ID, despite having a paper driving licence, birth and marriage certificates, NI and NHS numbers, blue badge, a bank account elsewhere etc.

I can't wait for a national photo ID card. Bring it on!

It's a whitewash!

It's only for 'working people' anyway.

If you're working , you have - or should have- a National Insurance number to give to your employer. That is standard.

The people who employ illegal immigrants will not ask for ID!

There is no process in place to check that these employers are making the correct checks. And there is not the money or manpower to check on these employers now or in the future.

At the moment, Deliveroo says they do check who is working for them which is a load of nonsense as London is full of illegal migrants working for them, uninsured on their bikes and scooters.

They are very happy to pay low wages and turn a blind eye to anyone working who shouldn't be.

It won't change anythng.

The only way it would work is if every single person, working or not, has ID.

exactly! And who trust those. See post office scandal. Computer says no etc. it’s too scary.

People who are happy to give up freedom, don’t deserve it.

The government could stop illegal immigration tomorrow but they don’t want to. This is about enslaving the English.

You could exchange your paper driving licence for a photo one for a very small cost.

Did you not know that?

Why, with all of your supporting evidence, could you not apply for a passport?

eta - I'm not trying to start an argument, but I didn't get a passport 'til I was 30...
Just curious why this wasn't an option if you're happy to share?

What if you have no smart phone? I know one or two knit your own yogurt hippy types who don’t even have an email address! There must be a fair few elderly too who have no digital devices/knowledge?