We Need Identity Cards

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Wouldn't ID cards help stop people working in the black market? I’m sure I read that’s why irregular migrants come here. It’s a big pull factor - work cash in hand, no checks.

Have you seen the cndtions and sufferings people do to get here FGT. I think it takes more than that to lead them to come here. The choice between starvation and eating?

Having ID card would have no effect on the black economy. Countries with ID cards also have flourishing black economies. As it is when workplaces believed to have illegal immigrants working for them are raided, those who are here legally will have documentation to prove it. what does it matter whether a worker has a form, a letter from the Home Office, a passport with a stamp in it - or an ID card.

Having an ID card won't stop people paying tradesmen cash in hand.

They don't cross other countries and risk the channel for our weather? Why do you think they all want to come here?
Only a couple on here have objections to ID cards. Of course everyone can be traceable. If they tear up passports send them back. There's a reason they dontvwantbdecided knowing. That's why we need ID cards, we have too many different gangs here now that are criminal, that's a fact.,of course the majority are not like that and are prepared to work, learn the language and fit in, they have to know that's a condition to live her. Processing should be done before they come.

HousePlantQueen

Having an ID card won't stop people paying tradesmen cash in hand.

No, you’re right, but that says as much about the people who pay that way as those who accept it.

GrannyGravy13

I was against ID cards for most of my life.

Now with loyalty cards, less use of cash, digital payments, smartphones and NPRC everywhere, we are tracked 24/7. I can no longer see a logical reason not to have them.

I so agree. Why not? It would simplify so many things?
And for me personally, although I have lived in the UK since the 70s, I was neither born nor married (too British citizen) in this country, it would ease my anxiety of having to prove my residence/citizenship.
As for cloning and forging, doesn’t it happen anyway?

Mollygo

HousePlantQueen

Having an ID card won't stop people paying tradesmen cash in hand.

No, you’re right, but that says as much about the people who pay that way as those who accept it.

The black economy doesn't run necessarily run on cash. Seemingly perfectly reputable businesses with bank accounts accepting payment by bank transfer and credit caard, can still be employing illegal immigrants.

ID cards will not stop that. ID cards haven't stopped modern slavery. ID cards are an irrelevance and an illusion that people think will be aan easy way to solve intractable problems, but if a complicated problem seems to have an easy solution, it is invariably wrong.

Mollygo

HousePlantQueen

Having an ID card won't stop people paying tradesmen cash in hand.

No, you’re right, but that says as much about the people who pay that way as those who accept it.

Are you suggesting that every business who accepts cash is guilty of tax evasion.
BTW, cash is legal tender in this country.

No I am not suggesting that Petra.

Claremont

It would be a good idea, I agree- but the cost would be astronomical.

I’m not sure why- if a government wanted to do it, they could.
I think it was when we first had to produce ID in order to vote it became a no-brainer for me.
The nonsense and illogicality of what constituted ID , effectively disenfranchising young people with only a Student ID card just highlighted it all the more.
The need to show a passport for domestic flights is another example- why should somebody who has no intention of leaving the UK have to go to the trouble and expense of a passport just to fly to Edinburgh?
We all carry loyalty cards, bank cards, driving licences(where applicable) railcards(ditto) bus passes (ditto ) I can see no ideological objection to a national ID card.

In the UK airlines ( Jet2 and easyJet - haven't checked them all) accept othe, apart from passports) photo ID (driving licence, Citizen card etc) for internal flights.

BA don't mention Citizens Card but accept photo driving licence ID

Politics Nerd, I still remember my National Registration number!

HousePlantQueen
Having an ID card won't stop people paying tradesmen cash in hand.
Petra
Are you suggesting that every business who accepts cash is guilty of tax evasion.
BTW, cash is legal tender in this country.

I’m not suggesting that Petra, but the implication was exactly that.

I would welcome an id card as I no longer have a passport or drive.

We live in France- and have id cards, the carte de sejour, and cards for health cover (the carte vitale).
We are regularly asked to show our cds: to hire a car, at the bank, picking up a parcel at the La Poste….
We need to show our Carte Vitale every time we access health care, or we are charged full price.

Everyone here keeps a “dossier” with all essential documents- birth certificate, marriage certificate, bank statements, utility bills. It’s normal.

As for working on the black- people do, but here the employer and tradesman are both guilty of a crime!

Also- immigration is an issue here too. One difference is that in order to get your cds, you need to pass an exam in French and to have an understanding of French culture.

Goodness, I hate the idea of ID cards. Always have. But hey, why not go the full mile and get us all micro-chipped like cats?

Actually, a passport is just as good s proof of identity, both for police or immigration officers looking for illegal immigrants and for bartenders querying if they legally can serve alcohol for teenagers.

As long as I can have an electronic version on my phone 😉

We have all the .I.D. we need, Bus Passes, Parsports, Driving licences, we don't need them.

Great idea. I’d be happy to have one

I'm good with a driving licence and bus pass.

I’d be quite happy to carry one.
I also think that all newborns should have their DNA recorded.
Save the heartbreak of not being able to identify dead bodies etc and a real deterrent for criminals.

Casdon, think it was because we, the population that is, were going to have to pay for them and have a vague recollection of being VERY expensive. There have been other reasons too

Goldencity

We live in France- and have id cards, the carte de sejour, and cards for health cover (the carte vitale).
We are regularly asked to show our cds: to hire a car, at the bank, picking up a parcel at the La Poste….
We need to show our Carte Vitale every time we access health care, or we are charged full price.

Everyone here keeps a “dossier” with all essential documents- birth certificate, marriage certificate, bank statements, utility bills. It’s normal.

As for working on the black- people do, but here the employer and tradesman are both guilty of a crime!

Also- immigration is an issue here too. One difference is that in order to get your cds, you need to pass an exam in French and to have an understanding of French culture.

Immigrants have to pass a Life in the UK test before they can attend the compulsory Citizen's ceremony. Imagine that's similar to the French test

The Citizens ceremony is where allegiance is sworn/pledged