Identity Cards (Contra Viewpoint)

[1963British]

I brought my family to the UK from the US and was rather happy that my wife who has ILE would be able to get some type of ID card so she would not need to carry around her passport. A US Passport with many years still left on it before expiring and UK ILE entry clearance, is a very expensive package to replace if lost.

In the US, getting a drivers license is not too difficult and you can also get a State issued ID card for more pieces of ID. But when she wants to use them in the UK, she gets looks like they were printed at home.

My wife does not drive here, as we do not want to take the chance that she runs afoul of some traffic laws and that could delay her citizenship application in two years, so she does not have a UK license.

Needless to say, we were very disappointed when we read this!

with around 90 percent of foreign nationals in Britain covered by the scheme by 2014/2015

My wife will be a British Citizen with a UK Passport long before the ID scheme would be available to her.

Instead of angering those that are reluctant to get a card and angering those that want one but can not get one, maybe they would have a rollout catagory of those that want one now.

Does anyone have any suggestions for ID, other than carrying a Passport?

[SYH]

Instead of angering those that are reluctant to get a card and angering those that want one but can not get one, maybe they would have a rollout catagory of those that want one now.

Does anyone have any suggestions for ID, other than carrying a Passport?

You are more than welcome to get an Id on this scheme so go for it

[Dawie]

Does anyone have any suggestions for ID, other than carrying a Passport?

How about no ID at all?

[JAJ]

My wife does not drive here, as we do not want to take the chance that she runs afoul of some traffic laws and that could delay her citizenship application in two years, so she does not have a UK license.

Why not get a driving licence, and just limit her driving?

[thsths]

In the US, getting a drivers license is not too difficult and you can also get a State issued ID card for more pieces of ID. But when she wants to use them in the UK, she gets looks like they were printed at home.

I know, and I think that an ID card is actually a good idea. The problem with this proposal is not the card itself, but the database. Once you apply for an ID card, a lot of data is put into that database. Obviously it has your name, address and date of birth, but then it also covers:

• portrait picture and all ten fingerprints
• all your reference numbers (passport, NI number, tax number, maybe even bank accounts)
• links to the people close to you

The government has of course access to this database, but private companies can also see your entry under certain conditions.

This is really a register you would rather expect in a totalitarian police state, and not in a civilised country. Which also applies to the 1000 pound fine you get if you do not notify the government of any changes. I know it sounds crazy, but unfortunately it is the law.

Instead of angering those that are reluctant to get a card and angering those that want one but can not get one, maybe they would have a rollout catagory of those that want one now.

I think they have realised that probably nobody would volunteer, so they are trying "coercion" instead.

Tom

[jazbaati99]

On a side note, get a provisional driving lisence. Very easy to get and as good an identity as full lisence. Ofcourse it won't show that you have working rights in UK, you still need your passport for that. Other than that, it does come in very hand for day to day business.