The case for identity cards

TruckerT

dryhat wrote: »

It's the thin end of the wedge.

And then one day you go to a bar, swipe your card to order a beer and the barman says "sorry sir, you've had your 24 units this week"

Or you order something at a restaurant but are refused because it's over your "fat quota" or whatever.

If there were a law against drinking more than 24 units a week, then a smartcard would be a very good way to enforce it...

TruckerT

TruckerT

stinktankcynic wrote: »

I'll have an ID card when they are free..., but wait, I'll be forced to pay, whilst others who use our so called services get them free. So if I don't have an ID card I won't get treatment, but if I die, the government will take my organs and sell them abroad. We all have a unique ID in our NI numbers, why not use those?
Our free society is rapidly becoming like the 1960's series the Prisoner.
Who's running the worldwide show?

If our NI number is adequate proof of our identity, then why does nobody ever ask for it?

TruckerT

grizzly1911

TruckerT wrote: »

If our NI number is adequate proof of our identity, then why does nobody ever ask for it?

TruckerT

That's the point - it should be used. What is the point in setting up a new ID card .

Whenever I have need to use the NHS the identify me as I am already on the system. I also have a separate NHS number I believe.

If I needed to claim JSA/benefit I am sure the first thing theyw ould link into is my NI number. In the case of the former to make sure they tax anything they were to give me.

Wasn't there some form of chip set in passports that could store 15/16/?? sets of data? Appreciate not everyone has one - just asking the question.

lostinrates

dryhat wrote: »

It's the thin end of the wedge.

And then one day you go to a bar, swipe your card to order a beer and the barman says "sorry sir, you've had your 24 units this week"

Or you order something at a restaurant but are refused because it's over your "fat quota" or whatever.

Well.....not so much unless laws change dramatically.

We don't tend to hold peoe's three or six penalty I points against them, but do take so many their licence is in jeopardy more seriously. Would you also call that the thin end of the wedge?

TruckerT

grizzly1911 wrote: »

That's the point - it should be used. What is the point in setting up a new ID card .

Whenever I have need to use the NHS the identify me as I am already on the system. I also have a separate NHS number I believe.

If I needed to claim JSA/benefit I am sure the first thing theyw ould link into is my NI number. In the case of the former to make sure they tax anything they were to give me.

Wasn't there some form of chip set in passports that could store 15/16/?? sets of data? Appreciate not everyone has one - just asking the question.

I cannot disagree but it simply doesn't happen, does it...!

I guess the NI number has no ability to contain any additional information - you get given the number at age 16 or whatever, and that is it - end of story.

I seem to remember that the DVLA plastic driving licence was intended to be a trial run for a national identity card.

I have some experience of dealing with the problems which immigrants face when dealing with the various Home Office departments.

It really shouldn't take years to decide upon an incomer's status!

TruckerT

dryhat

lostinrates wrote: »

We don't tend to hold peoe's three or six penalty I points against them, but do take so many their licence is in jeopardy more seriously. Would you also call that the thin end of the wedge?

Are you drunk?

simongregson

The current cost of non-eu use of the NHS that isn't recovered is around £30 million according to the news today.

How much would rolling out a national identity card cost?

lostinrates

dryhat wrote: »

Are you drunk?

Sadly not.

lostinrates

simongregson wrote: »

The current cost of non-eu use of the NHS that isn't recovered is around £30 million according to the news today.

How much would rolling out a national identity card cost?

I think that's the serious point.

Of course, the eu countries that do have recognised ID cards can use them as Passports within EU or EEA, but until its internationally recognised and truley replacable for a lot of the junk we have to carry around don't really see much of a benefit, just another cost and layer of expense.

TruckerT

simongregson wrote: »

The current cost of non-eu use of the NHS that isn't recovered is around £30 million according to the news today.

How much would rolling out a national identity card cost?

The rollout cost would be a one-off - NHS costs would continue to increase.

TruckerT