Identity and ID cards: Why do we need an identity card scheme?

Next: Terrorists and organised crime Up: Contents Previous: The Government Draft Bill

Why do we need an identity card scheme?

• To deter illegal working
• To tackle immigration abuse
• To strengthen security by disrupting the use of false and multiple identities by terrorists and organised crime groups
• To ensure free public services are only used by those entitled to them
• To help protect people from identity theft

The above is Crown Copyright.
From the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/comrace/identitycards/index.html

If the proposed scheme did indeed fulfil the above objectives then I believe the majority of the British public would fully support its introduction, as there is much anxiety about terrorism, illegal immigration and identity theft. Now lets take each of the five points and analyse the effectiveness of the proposed ID card scheme in each case.

• Secure against terrorist and organised crime groups

• Deter illegal working

• Tackle immigration abuse

• Ensure entitlement to free services

• Protection from identity theft

• Additional benefits of ID cards

Next: Terrorists and organised crime Up: Contents Previous: The Government Draft Bill

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