Quangos: The Unseen Government of the UK

[clive3300]

I was not attempting to critique the UK governments specific proposals, I was attempting to demonstrate that a central ID number-type system is quite workable and is more efficient than the mish-mash systems in place now; and how an ID number in itself does not lead to some Orwellian system of government due to practical and sensible spreads of information.

Biometrics - A method of authentication to the ID number is a seperate issue which I can understand resistance to, but it doesnt mean it cant or shouldnt actually work effectively or securely.

Anyway, I believe that most people were very resistant to ID system before "biometric" was even a word.

[mockney piers]

I'm currently designing an IT System (I know a little bit about it see) for the NHS to help it gather together the thousands of processes and systems used within the hundreds of organisations within the NHS, because noone has a clue what's done where by whom.

There is no such thing as an NHS database, it doesn't exist, some PCTs are largely subsisting on paper and pencil and use their monitors as flower stands. Fujitsu and co have installed their system in 9 of the 47 targetted Trusts over 6 years at the cost of about 3 billion quid, and none of that even works.

I throw out ID because it's a desire from on high and noone has been able to justify why, leave alone come up with actual concrete requirements, and hey presto the costs have been spiralling out of control since day 1, a sure-fire sign that every responsibility is being shipped from pillar to post to avoid blame.

I'm not some luddite here, but I do know a lot about why and how projects fail (I worked for EDS remember), and this one is absolutely doomed, as is the taxpayer.

[david_carnell]

The problem with the principle of an ID card being more effective against identity fraud is that is that it actually increases the risk by containing all the valuable information in one place - in effect becoming a one-stop-shop for any criminals. Rather than trying to fraudulently acquire passport, driving license, NI number etc etc they would now need only one.

My fear is that once you have a credential that everybody trusts, faking it becomes so much more valuable. There will be a false sense of security and you can abuse that

[mockney piers]

As for 'before the biometrics', yes indeed. Once upon a time in this country it meant something to be a citizen and have Policemen and politicians as servants of the state.

It was a point of pride that no policeman had the right to ask for your papers (that's what the gestapo did see - ooops Godwin)

Under Labour the social contract is being turned absolutely upside-down, and that is a bad bad thing. Biometric or no, ID cards is indicative of a sinister turn in the social philosophy and concepts of individual freedom that underlined what this country used to represent.

I don't give a sh!t about terrorism, there are better ways to battle that than give the state greater means of control, especially when they are playing the fear card to try and get it past the public when they've admitted that it wouldn't in any way shape or form have prevented the London bombs.

*edited for shocking grammar and spelling

[david_carnell]

Oh, it's one of the most ineffective means to combate terrorism ever devised. And at a spiralling cost of some ?18billion (that's billion!!) it's a collosal waste of money.

I mean let's pretend the govts right, and let's pretend the card is 100 percent successful. So now there's no terrorists using fake IDs. Does it reduce the threat of an attack? No. They will just find another way. Any anti-terrorist measure that forces a terrorist to change his tactics in a meaningless way is a waste of money.

[SeanMacGabhann]

What I love about the pro-active stance against terrorism is how rubbish it is

Imagine post 119 (it's our calender, let's reclaim it) when the government sat down and thought

"Right, this is serious - this might happen here next. Let's beef up everything!

Now - let's think outside the box fellas, is there anyting else we are missing?? Anything at all..... our nation DEPENDS on it"

Years pass - some kerfuffle on a plane on a runway....

"OMG!!! We fogot!!! Liquid explosives!!!!! Right - stop everyone from carrying more than 100ml of anything"

[mockney piers]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/17/flying_toilet_terror_labs/

[SeanMacGabhann]

well, quite!

[david_carnell]

Great article, thanks Piers.