Why so expensive to get ID in the UK? Why no free national identity cards?

Beachcomber372

My partner and 16,19 and 21 year old sons need ID for opening bank accounts. Proving their identity is very difficult so we've decided to apply for passports for them even though we have no intention of going abroad. All the costs of getting 4 passports is going going to cost about £450 and they will need renewing every 10 years at more cost. How can people on a low income be expected to pay so much just to prove who they are to do basic things like opening a bank account, voting etc.. Why aren't all UK citizens issued a free National Idenity Card?

unforeseen

Why aren't all UK citizens issued a free National Idenity Card?

Because the people who wear tinfoil hats made a fuss about how the government would be able to track them and gather more information.

eskbanker

The proposal to implement national identity cards was shot down in flames years ago and doesn't seem likely to be reintroduced any time soon, although there is a free card available to prove ID for voting.

born_again

Beachcomber372 said:

My partner and 16,19 and 21 year old sons need ID for opening bank accounts. Proving their identity is very difficult so we've decided to apply for passports for them even though we have no intention of going abroad. All the costs of getting 4 passports is going going to cost about £450 and they will need renewing every 10 years at more cost. How can people on a low income be expected to pay so much just to prove who they are to do basic things like opening a bank account, voting etc.. Why aren't all UK citizens issued a free National Idenity Card?

Driving licence 👍

eskbanker

born_again said:

Beachcomber372 said:

My partner and 16,19 and 21 year old sons need ID for opening bank accounts. Proving their identity is very difficult so we've decided to apply for passports for them even though we have no intention of going abroad. All the costs of getting 4 passports is going going to cost about £450 and they will need renewing every 10 years at more cost. How can people on a low income be expected to pay so much just to prove who they are to do basic things like opening a bank account, voting etc.. Why aren't all UK citizens issued a free National Idenity Card?

Driving licence 👍

If you already happen to have learned how to drive then yes, licences are a useful alternative to passports for photo ID, but if OP is looking at this from the perspective of low income people not taking foreign holidays, many won't have been able to afford the fully-loaded cost of acquiring a driving licence, i.e. lessons, etc.

born_again

eskbanker said:

born_again said:

Beachcomber372 said:

My partner and 16,19 and 21 year old sons need ID for opening bank accounts. Proving their identity is very difficult so we've decided to apply for passports for them even though we have no intention of going abroad. All the costs of getting 4 passports is going going to cost about £450 and they will need renewing every 10 years at more cost. How can people on a low income be expected to pay so much just to prove who they are to do basic things like opening a bank account, voting etc.. Why aren't all UK citizens issued a free National Idenity Card?

Driving licence 👍

If you already happen to have learned how to drive then yes, licences are a useful alternative to passports for photo ID, but if OP is looking at this from the perspective of low income people not taking foreign holidays, many won't have been able to afford the fully-loaded cost of acquiring a driving licence, i.e. lessons, etc.

Agree. But can be a cheaper option that a passport.
Mrs has no photo ID but managed to open a account. Took some work, visiting branch & paperwork, but can be done.

Would love a national ID card, given we all get a NI number. Would make life so easy. 

Beachcomber372

born_again said:

Beachcomber372 said:

My partner and 16,19 and 21 year old sons need ID for opening bank accounts. Proving their identity is very difficult so we've decided to apply for passports for them even though we have no intention of going abroad. All the costs of getting 4 passports is going going to cost about £450 and they will need renewing every 10 years at more cost. How can people on a low income be expected to pay so much just to prove who they are to do basic things like opening a bank account, voting etc.. Why aren't all UK citizens issued a free National Idenity Card?

Driving licence 👍

They don't have driving licenses

Beachcomber372

born_again said:

eskbanker said:

born_again said:

Beachcomber372 said:

My partner and 16,19 and 21 year old sons need ID for opening bank accounts. Proving their identity is very difficult so we've decided to apply for passports for them even though we have no intention of going abroad. All the costs of getting 4 passports is going going to cost about £450 and they will need renewing every 10 years at more cost. How can people on a low income be expected to pay so much just to prove who they are to do basic things like opening a bank account, voting etc.. Why aren't all UK citizens issued a free National Idenity Card?

Driving licence 👍

If you already happen to have learned how to drive then yes, licences are a useful alternative to passports for photo ID, but if OP is looking at this from the perspective of low income people not taking foreign holidays, many won't have been able to afford the fully-loaded cost of acquiring a driving licence, i.e. lessons, etc.

Agree. But can be a cheaper option that a passport.
Mrs has no photo ID but managed to open a account. Took some work, visiting branch & paperwork, but can be done.

Would love a national ID card, given we all get a NI number. Would make life so easy. 

Hardly any bank branches left. ID is needed for other things too not just banking

LinLui

Beachcomber372 said:

Why aren't all UK citizens issued a free National Idenity Card?

You genuinely think that any UK government would give you something for free?

DullGreyGuy

Beachcomber372 said:

My partner and 16,19 and 21 year old sons need ID for opening bank accounts. Proving their identity is very difficult so we've decided to apply for passports for them even though we have no intention of going abroad. All the costs of getting 4 passports is going going to cost about £450 and they will need renewing every 10 years at more cost. How can people on a low income be expected to pay so much just to prove who they are to do basic things like opening a bank account, voting etc.. Why aren't all UK citizens issued a free National Idenity Card?

Think yourself lucky, to renew the wife's non UK passport is USD$200 paid to the equivalent of HMPO and a further £75 paid to the UK consulate. After paying £225  it's a 6-9 month wait. 

Most will accept a provisional driving license as !!!!!! of ID so much cheaper for three of them, the 16 yo can use their birth certificate, most accept it for under 18s

retiredbanker1

As an example Lloyds has ways you can open accounts without photo ID

Proof of identity

• Current EU/EEA passport, photo driving licence or identity card.
• All other current signed passports.
• HMRC Tax Notification.
• Young Scots Card.
• Blue disabled drivers pass.
• Benefits entitlement letter.
• UK Armed Forces ID Card.
• Home Office Immigration Status Document accompanied by proof of right to reside.
• Home Office Application Registration Card.
• Northern Ireland Voters Card

Proof of address

• Current EU/EEA photo driving licence.
• Benefits entitlement letter.
• HMRC Tax Notification.
• Local authority tax bill for the current year.
• Utility bill (such as gas or landline phone bill) dated within the last six months.
• Bank, building society or UK credit union statement.
• UK, EU/EEA mortgage statement.
• Current UK provisional driver’s licence.
• UK credit card statement.
• Tenancy agreement issued by a solicitor, housing association, local council or reputable letting agency.

You need one item from each list.