identity cards?

[estie]

I am not from England, so can someone please explain to me what these much-talked-about ID cards are, and how they are supposed to prevent terrorism? Also, wouldn't these home-grown bombers have gotten them too? I am a little confused. Thanks!

[acw]

Is that satire?  Or irony?  Either way - well done!  Good work!

[shaneystar]

The Government want everyone to carry an identity card.This is still being debated in Parliament.
Speaking hypothetically if they had been in force then these bombers would have had to carry an identity card if they were born here.
Would it have prevented the bombings? This is anyone's guess.

[Dom Tuk]

The ID card is designed to be used as 'an access to services' card. Thus you will need your ID card for eg to access the NHS, social service benefits, social service allowances, housing benefits etc as there is a huge scam in these areas. Yes it will help to reduce access of those who are not entitled to use these services but i reckon the savings will be minimal. Firstly there has to be a proper and credible agency that will issue these cards. Forget about the 60 million brits born/living in this country, they are all genuine. What about the huge numbers of illegals living here. How will the agency issuing ID cards know whether the documents submitted along with the application form are genuine. How will the staff know who is entitled to what. How will they know how to read passports and immigration documents. how will they detect forgeries??. Its a very daunting task and those who are prepared to use forgeries will easily succeed. Now did I use the word scam. The makers of this ID card and the associated technology company will make billions, so now work out who is owning these companies and how much money has been paid into party funds. So a card that will not stop home grown terrorists, will have no surefire way to decide those not entitled to it but quite irelevant to the vast majority who are entitled to it.

[Dom Tuk]

Another small point....any visitor to this country can study in a local school. No checks are made to see if the child enrolling (or applying to the LEA in september to join a school) into the school is entitled to a free state education. Surprised??

[El D]

I suppose it's Crapita doing the systems is it?

[Grunty]

Don't worry Estie - those of us who live here are confused as well.

Actually it's a tax.

[estie]

Thanks everyone for attempting to clarify this for me! I guess we'll see how it all pans out...

[Peahead66]

The ID card scheme is actually a national database the scale of which has never existed anywhere else in the world. Its Hitlers fantasy. It requires a minimum of 50 pieces of information about you with sharp fines for not cooperating or keeping your information up to date (seriously read the bill on the governments website). Here is a place where you can find out all about the proposed police state sorry I mean ID scheme  http://www.no2id.co.uk/index.php