Identification cards A good idea or a horrible mistake
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On the 3rd of July 2002, the home secretary, David Blunkett, opened himself to "scathing" criticism when he launched a six-month, UK-wide debate on entitlement cards.
He himself favours the idea of introducing the card, which he insists that contrary to many people's beliefs would not be compulsory, but instead be a card which "could be used as an important tool in cracking down on illegal immigration and illegal working."
The cards could range from a simple plastic card containing basic information which, would cost the government approximately 1.3 billion over the next 13 years, to Hi-tech computerised cards capable of holding fingerprints or even eye patterns, which would set them back 3.2 billion.
Mr Blunkett also claimed that the card would also be a facility, which would allow people to apply for services and benefits such as income support and unemployment benefit.
The main proposals included a universal scheme where, contrary to Mr Blunkett's statement, it would be compulsory to register for the card, however there would be no requirement to carry it, which in my opinion defeats the whole point of having it. Other possibilities include a card, which could be targeted at specific groups, i.e. Immigrants or elderly people...