Vocal Voices

Proposals from the government this week have included them being able to take cash directly from the bank account of benefits cheats.
Quite right, you might say, what's wrong with that?

Well what might be wrong with it is that the government might be trying to establish a precedent, that they have a right to access people's bank accounts, using an unpopular group in society in order to justify this first step.

Mystic Crommers predicts that if and when this precedent is established, no government will stop at benefits cheats.
People fined in the courts, speeding fines, any kind of fines, straight from your bank account with no discussion to be had; and if it's taken wrongly I reckon you won't get it back in a hurry.

It's a dangerous precedent imo. They will see your money as theirs to take if they want to.

Time to buy a stout wooden chest a la Blackbeard and a shovel. Bury your money in the back garden!

Oh it gets worse Cromwell, much worse.

There are also plans for digital driving licenses to be held on a government app on your smartphone. But get this: it will also be able to be used as an ID when buying alcohol, voting, or getting on domestic flights. So, it's an ID in all but name.

One more baby step at a time as we dash headlong to Big Brother world.

Yes, they want digital id and are looking to sneak it in by the back door.

Authoritarianism introduced under the excuse of convenience.

I have no problems with an ID "card", per se, but a digital version on a 'smart' phone? That's a "NO!" from me.

Phones and apps are NOT secure despite what some agenda driven experts tell us - there is plenty of evidence. Nor are cards, TBH, but at least we can leave them in a drawer till we need them or get a RFID blocker if they are on our person.

It is now being mooted that those accused of infringements could lose their driving licences for up to two years even though they have not committed a driving offence.

There has also long been a push to go cashless and if that happens there really will be no escape from Big Brother.

We already have our movements tracked using mobile phones, CCTV with audio and facial recognition, and if you call an official organisation such as HMRC or the Council your call will be monitored to make sure that you are behaving correctly - their "correctly" - or you will be cut off.

Many small shops and other firms will only accept cash. I visit three and the gas fitter only accepts cash or bank transfers.

I use my credit card at Lidl when I go shopping and also if I buy something online.

What would happen if you are overdrawn or have a joint account or business account.

How would it affect your credit score?

The government wants to have access to your bank account

Well, they'll just have to get in line behind the rest of the scammers.

I am coming round to the idea of ID cards. It is a price worth paying if we can keep a record of who is entering this country illegally. It would be a start at least. I was watching a report today on television about 1 in 12 people in London being illegal immigrants working in the black economy, with the boat gangs who deliver them here taking a cut of what they earn.

medsec222 wrote:I am coming round to the idea of ID cards. It is a price worth paying if we can keep a record of who is entering this country illegally. It would be a start at least. I was watching a report today on television about 1 in 12 people in London being illegal immigrants working in the black economy, with the boat gangs who deliver them here taking a cut of what they earn.

I tend to agree Medsec, it would certainly make it much harder for the criminal element. In all honesty I don't have a problem with carrying an ID card, I already carry my driving license, bus pass and rail card. Having said that I don't want those items or my bank account linked to my phone.

I have always been for a national ID card to cover most things, but they will not stop the black economy nor illegal immigrants. Employers who take these people on do so with no checks - no questions asked: no ID, no problem. Target the employers who are taking on these, supposed, 1 in 12 for cash-in-hand work. The employers and illegals are, to coin a phrase, 'known knowns' yet the authorities do not seem to be that bothered.

Of the 580,000 'reported illegal immigrants in London very few are "boat people". The vast majority came here legally and have overstayed their student or work visas.