ID cards to be introduced. What do you feel. ?

[Fishingboatbobbingnight]

I have worked in serious organised crime for two decades. This is one of the best bits of news I have read in a long while. I have also been involved in ‘small boat’ arrivals. The reason people will by pass several safe EU countries to get to the UK is ‘I can get lost if I don’t get asylum’ ‘UK has no ID cards’ . It’s a no brainer .. why why has it taken so long. ? If you want to have the services your country has to offer - through most of the world - from healthcare to the library- you need to show you are a bona-fida citizen. However , for some unfathomable reason , the flag waving right wingers are always the one to oppose ..is it because they are scared it will work and leave their thinly veiled racism floundering ?

Yes to ID cards = YANBU
No to ID cards = YABU

Why are people against it?
I have absolutely nothing to hide so perfectly happy for this plan. Sounds fine to me!

I've grown up in a country with ID cards and can't see the issue personally. Easy to proof age, identity and proof your address. I was shocked when I got credit in a store based on a water bill and them taking my word it's me - same as collecting parcels and showing my bank card to proof it's me.
My ID card can also be used online- easy to access government services or proof your ID / age / take out contracts that way.

You lost me at " flag waving right wingers" . Was that comment really necessary?

For what it's worth I don't have a problem with ID cards.

the only thing i have against it is that it is digital. My mum won't be able to have one. Digital Exclusion is a real and serious issue.

Plenty of us live in countries with ID cards. Guess what, most of us aren't constantly showing them to the gestapo police

However , for some unfathomable reason , the flag waving right wingers are always the one to oppose ..is it because they are scared it will work and leave their thinly veiled racism floundering ?

Are they? The Right are always the one to oppose?

It used to be lefties that refused to be monitored by the man. Now it is the opposite. Please for the love of god stop right versus lefting things until you have a grasp on reality.

I'm pro - my adult daughter has a moderate learning disability and no ID once her passport runs out (she never goes abroad so she doesn't need one but we will probably have to get her one just for ID). She has epilepsy so can't have a provisional driving licence.

I already have to give away more personal data than this and pay on top to have my blue badge, plus I have a Scottish National ID card and my driving licence, so another one is just more plastic. As long as I don’t have to pay for it I don’t mind.

Reminds me of a senior police officer relative who I overhead once telling someone “I’m in charge of all the murders in X city. 🤣

Im not against ID cards apart from some concerns over the system being hacked and data being stolen. Which let’s face it will probably happen.

I saw someone complaining that they will be able to link up benefits payments with savings accounts, etc….nkt sure if that will happen but don’t commit benefit fraud then and you have nothing to worry about.

There is no point to it at all unless it is also made compulsory not only to have them, but also to carry them at all times, with penalties for non-compliance.
That will be fun.
The school run, quick dash to the shops for a pint of milk, popping round to a neighbour for a chat, hospital visits, your daily commute, going out for a meal, the list of possible transgressions is virtually endless.
As is the number of jobsworths saying 'Papers please' to ordinary citizens going about their lawful business.

I think it's a good idea and very much overdue. I have a passport for no better reason than domestic ID - I don't travel outside the UK. But nor do I drive so it's the only form of primary ID available to me. An ID card would suit me very well, especially a digital one. However, I understand other people's objections and I think there's going to be an almighty ruckus.

is the "Citizen Card" still a thing and would that be an alternative for your daughter?

I’m in favour, When I lived in Europe it was mandatory to carry your ID. It wasn’t an issue, Another card to store in phone isn’t a big deal and tbh would probsbly make my life easier as wouldn’t need to remember drivers licence to pick up vinted parcel. I think companies allowing illegal migrants to work (deliveroo etc) should get chunky corporate fines.

Would they have to be produced when you attend a and e? Or for any medical appt? I was the victim of medical identity fraud that still has an impact till today on my life so I’d really welcome something like this

It doesn't bother me.

It’s getting harder and harder to prove who you are with many places not accepting printed off utility bill and bank statements so I think it will make life easier for most of us. Especially if household bills are all in one persons name.

Unfortunately, since Johnson and Sunak decided that the DWP should pay ‘anyone who asked’ Universal Credit during the pandemic .. the departmentmental central index (the database that holds all the names and addresses of people with a NI number in the UK) has been been completely fucked… previously investigators at least had an idea of who was legally present and where most lived . Search the index for your suspect.. no record - then almost certainly not legally present . Cross check with home office and Bingo - failed asylum seeker .
However because he wanted to be the guy who got people paid .. you could go on line with your neighbours or friends name , no NI and an invented address and family - and claim UC.. 5 years later people are still getting bills for UC they hadn’t actually claimed .. and their addresses have moved .. it cost £bbb .. and one of the reason this country is so bloody poor it can’t afford to fund basic services.. ID cards would have prevented that .

Just one case of many

https://www.cps.gov.uk/cps/news/members-britains-biggest-benefit-fraud-gang-jailed-combined-total-more-25-years

Really? I read you’d only have to show it if wanting to rent a house/flat or to show you can start a new job? I mean I guess they might extend it to house purchases as well as renting. But I can’t see why you’d need it with you all the time. It’s going to be digital, most people have their phone but I accept not everyone has a smart phone or you might be out for a run without a smartphone.

I really don’t think compulsory ID is a dominating factor for illegal immigrates, I would have thought language, family / friends and social media stories peddling a ‘utopia’ is a greater reason for people to risk life and limb to come to our shores.
is there any research to show an ID card reduces illegal immigration? Is there any evidence to show an ID card reduces crime? Without the card would it stop you having NHS treatment?
I can see more reasons to be wary of it, than celebratory about it.
fake UK passports are worth £££££ I can see this has the potential to open just another door for criminal activity, and can’t see many positives?

You won't have a choice, unless you choose to live 'off grid'.

If I had any faith in the government to keep our data safe, I'd be more enthusiastic.

If GCHQ is in charge of this project then yes great. But if it's Capita or Fujitsu or any of the other incompetent IT contractors, then I'll fight it all the way. The UK government has an abysmal record on commissioning IT systems.

Another Post Office scandal, anyone?

I don't have an issue with ID cards, but I don't think they should be digital - or at least there should be a non- digital alternative.

You don’t get to choose, it’s compulsory

Perfectly normal and a yes from me. We nearly did it 15 years ago I believe.

They’re going to involve Crapita or Fujitsu in this aren’t they 😫

I don't have a problem with ID cards.

I do have a problem with it being digital.