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

Oh, and Switzerland too.

Long overdue. Slightly concerned about it being digital given the history of previous IT projects.

All this I have nothing to hide nonsense

it’s only as ‘safe’ as those in charge and we see how two tier decisions are made. This will be used as a control mechanism for sure and won’t reduce illegal immigration one jot. I’d they were serious about that they’d simply stop the housing and benefits

Presumably you would need to be able to prove who you are to enable to government to issue you with the ID. I'm not really sure how they intend to be able to do that if you aren't already on their databases with passports or driving licences. A name and address on a council tax bill doesn't really prove anything.

Spot on comment. They cannot be trusted and seemingly always try not to follow process/procedures.

But they already do ask for ID in the form of a driving licence or passport.

I don't understand why it's only Anglo countries who have a problem with ID cards. Rest of world seems just fine with them.

We are issued with an ID number at birth. Not sure how the UK would go about accounting for all adults already born?

I was in Rome last week, and at most of the big sites, the Carabinieri were asking for ID as in a passport. A copy on the phone was not enough as they scan the passport on the spot to make sure people/tourists in the Schengen Zone (Italy is part of that) are not overstaying. I saw a few US tourists very upset as they didn't have their passports with them, although they must be carried on the person if non EU. That would include UK I presume! The fine for non production of passport/ID is €2,000 and a trip to the police station. ID cards are normal in EU.

I wasn't asked for mine anywhere, so I must look Italian. 😊But I was using an EU passport and I have a copy on my phone. Being an EU citizen, overstaying is not a problem for me, so I would have been OK.

Like the SS? What are you even talking about 😆🤣

The government already has your data ! What more could they possibly get from you if you have an ID?

Well, in fact, Google probably knows more about us than the government. It’s funny how people try to spin conspiracy theories about this, as if it’s some new thing and no other country has been doing it forever. So your precious data is already out there don’t be naive thinking otherwise.

I don't like always taking my phone out. It doesn't bother me having the ID as long as I won't be stopped and reprimanded for having a technology break and leaving my phone at home.

I live in France where everyone has an ID card. I don't get all the hand wringing about this.

I’m guessing it won’t cost much less than a passport. They will need to recoup the set up costs.

Scrapping the last ID card scheme was probably the only thing Cameron and co could be thanked for.

I don't see how they can make people pay for it if it is compulsory.

Is anyone mentioned cost? I'm not against it I just wonder if it'll cost and therefore the poorest won't be able to afford them/ get a job etc? Assuming even they're they are compulsory they won't actually be free? (See driving licence and to some extent, passports)

I think you are taking digitally quite literally. We have a physical card that can be scanned.

I'm all for it.

The public are bloody stupid "Meanwhile, polls show a majority of the public do not trust ministers to keep their personal data safe from cyber-criminals. "

So that's a reason not to have ID cards? Never mind their data is already at the DVLA, HMRC, NHS, Passport Office...give me strength.

As if you have choice.

Can’t say I’d care - I’ve lived in several European countries where you had to have ID and they really took it seriously.

Exactly. And there are benefits to having all that data linked by one ID.

Ive said before that without a single form of ID it must be quite easy to just be anyone.

Just returned from a week in Spain. Our hotel was on the same street as a police station. Every morning there was a queue of people ( I’d say not Spanish by their appearance) waiting to get/ renew their ID cards. You need them to access healthcare, get a job etc. the queue was calm and orderly. Don’t know why we have had this cultural aversion, it’s time to get with the program.

You currently only have to give the police your details if you have committed a crime or they have reasonable grounds to suspect you have. Otherwise you can just decline to even give them your name.

Curious as to how we confirm our identity to get an identity card it better not be a signature from someone again i struggled with my driving licence and im really hoping I don't have to go through that again on renewal

As long as you sit. have to carry it everywhere I think it’s fine. If it’s to give you access to jobs, benefits, NHS care etc etc etc then yes it’s a great idea.