Proving Identity

I'm more interested in why anyone would think it's a good idea, and so spend a huge amount of money on it. What's the up side for anyone? You're going to have to produce it for employment, but any job I've ever had has already required me to produce some evidence of identity. Anyone who's happy to employ undocumented people is already breaking the law, and can carry on doing so.

How is this different to other forms of ID? I have a passport and a driving licence. But both of those are things I chose. Plenty of people get by without a car or going abroad. Having a job is much less optional. It's something people need.

One thing that RocheLimit said jumped out at me.

No-one is going to have to carry it to present on demand...

...the government has ruled that out anyway.

That's nice of them, but will all future governments be equaly relaxed about state control? Once this has been introduced, it won't go away whoever is in charge, nice or not.

So as this is a pointless waste of money with a potentially unpleasant down side, I'm against it.

The government press release says this will...

...curb the prospect of work for illegal migrants, a significant factor driving small boat crossings

So isn't the real issue their need to be seen to be "Doing Something About Immigration" because the racists have been on the streets protesting, and the racist party is doing well in opinion polls?

Sorry to stir the pot. I usually keep away from politics.