Photo id

Savvy_Sue

There is the Citizen card which would probably help with the photo ID - it is more complicated to satisfy RTW checks without a photo, because you're having to prove who you are. If someone shows me a passport or photo driving licence, I can check that photo bears some resemblance to the person in front of me - Citizen card would do the same. 

Edited to add, I've just looked at the online checker for RTW here. From this I conclude that it's entirely legal to complete the checks without photo ID, BUT many employers would want some form of photo ID to assist them. Given how competitive the job market is atm, employers may just want to keep things simple. In which case the passport is the way to go - yes it's an outlay but once spread over 10 years (and given how much easier it makes so many things in life!) it's well worth it. 

Marvel1

AskAsk said:

it does seem a bit stupid the photo ID situation in the UK.  if you don't drive you would need to pay for a passport even if you never travel abroad!

he will need to apply for a passport.

In terms of saving money, the provisional driving licence is the cheaper option.

Provisional driving licence = £34 (online) £43 (post)

Passport = £75.50 (online) £85 (post)

AskAsk

Marvel1 said:

AskAsk said:

it does seem a bit stupid the photo ID situation in the UK.  if you don't drive you would need to pay for a passport even if you never travel abroad!

he will need to apply for a passport.

In terms of saving money, the provisional driving licence is the cheaper option.

Provisional driving licence = £34 (online) £43 (post)

Passport = £75.50 (online) £85 (post)

yes, if you never travel then the provisional driving licence is the cheaper option to get to use as photo ID but if you have a medical or physical condition that makes it illegal for you to drive then you will not be able to get a provisional driving licence unless you lie on the application form. 

if you never actually use it to get a full driving licence then no one will find out but nonetheless, it is a lie that you will be making intentionally to a government body.

TELLIT01

There is apparently also potentially a wait of up to 10 weeks to get a passport.  If it's a first application there is also the requirement for a face to face interview before it will be issued.

I know it's a contentious issue, but if everybody was required to have photo ID this type of problem wouldn't exist.

p00hsticks

TELLIT01 said:

There is apparently also potentially a wait of up to 10 weeks to get a passport.  If it's a first application there is also the requirement for a face to face interview before it will be issued.

I know it's a contentious issue, but if everybody was required to have photo ID this type of problem wouldn't exist.

The 'face to face' interview is actually done over Skype at present. Mine took around four weeks from start to finish earlier this year, although it may start to take longer now things are opening up again. I think the main problem people may find is getting someone sutiable 'professional' that meets the critieria to vouch for their identity.

VioletRose_2

You can register at a GP without Photo ID  GP can only refuse to register you if their lists are full or you are out of their catchment area, if they still refuse they MUST give you the reason in writing that's part of their contract but  you have a legal right to be registered with a GP NHS England has to find you one. I am not allowed to post links but google how to register with a GP to get the info I wanted to link to (or if a admin can post it )  . As for needing photo ID its not actually a requirement but the process is a lot easier if you have it 

VioletRose_2

Sorry the last part of photo id info referred to employment 

t0rt0ise

Also note that the government is going to bring in the need to show photo ID in order to vote, so probably worth getting a passport so as not to be disenfranchised.

Undervalued

VioletRose_2 said:

Sorry the last part of photo id info referred to employment 

As explained earlier in the post, an employer is legally obliged to confirm that anybody they employ is allowed to work in the UK. They are liable to penalties if they get this wrong but what checks they make is largely up to the employer. Some are casual and hope for the best whereas others are super cautious! If an employer chooses the ultra cautious route they may well insist on seeing a passport and all kinds of other evidence. 

p00hsticks

t0rt0ise said:

Also note that the government is going to bring in the need to show photo ID in order to vote, so probably worth getting a passport so as not to be disenfranchised.

Do you have a link for this ? I know that the topic's been discussed in the past, but I wasn't aware that a decision had been made. IMHO, I can't see a Conservative government bringing in such legislation, as I suspect the majority of the populace that it would disenfranchise are the elderly who have given up their driving licenses and let passports lapse, and these are typically Tory voters.

I agree with the general point though that some form of photo id is required more and more - I'm currently trying to act as executor for an estate and have ended up getting myself a passport simply to more easily meet the identity requirements of the various organisations I'm having to deal with.