Comment by mytailorisrich 12 hours ago
The issues you mention have nothing to do with having an ID card so a Digital ID won't change anything.
Regarding passports, really at this point people who don't have one don't want one.
Sorry you are totally misrepresenting how difficult it is. Here is the checklist:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b6b7e7536d6...
> If you don’t have a passport, for instance, it’s much harder for a UK citizen to prove their right to work in the UK, for which your employer is liable if they get it wrong.
No it isn't. You need a Birth Certificate and a previous paycheck and something that has your NI number on it, and usually something to prove your address e.g. Utility Bill.
Don't forget needing to get it countersigned by someone sufficiently middle-class. https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications/acce...
This has nothing to do with passport applications. He is talking about right to work checks. There is nothing excessive about them and they does not require even photo-card ID e.g. driving license / passport.
Also you don't have to insert your personal brand of politics into every discussion. There is nothing outrageous about the list of professions of counter signers. All they are wanting is someone that can be identified easily in a community.
If you have an address, you have a proof of address. Digital IDs won't magically prove your address, and I don't think there plan is to include addresses. But if Dìgital IDs include address then you'll have to prove your address to the Digital ID first exactly like you prove your address now: with documents.
Regarding right to work (you are changing topic): if you are a citizen you can show your passport, if you don't have a passport because you don't want one you can show your birth certificate. If you are not a citizen you show your passport and provide a share code. It is simple and there are no "excessive requirements".
> If you have an address, you have a proof of address
No! This is another one of those things that ends up being a serious problem for a few people, because the current proof of address standard is "utility bill".
> you are changing topic
This seems to be particularly bad in the "digital ID" discussion, almost every speaker including official sources seems to mean something slightly different by this phrase.
You just need something with you name and address. Bank statements, council tax, driver license (it doesn't even need to be a full one). It doesn't need to be a utility bill, it just often is one.
If you do not have a permanent address (I didn't for many years). You just need someone with a permanent address where these things can go e.g. friend or family member or you can pay a small amount for a letter box with a key (which is what I did).
> because the current proof of address standard is "utility bill".
Because utility bills are the simplest. Obviously you can show a tenancy or lodger agreement, or letters from "official sources".
If you have nothing then Digital IDs won't help you anyway because, if they do include address, you will also need to start by providing a proof of address to the Digital ID system!
Except they will? We require multiple proofs because there’s no central place a bank or company, etc, can go to prove that you live in the UK. The excessive requirements to provide multiple proofs to your employer of your right to work are explicitly because there’s no single proof of your right to work in the UK.
If you don’t have a passport, for instance, it’s much harder for a UK citizen to prove their right to work in the UK, for which your employer is liable if they get it wrong.
So please, tell me again how having a clear proof of identity tied to your right to work, and other things, will “not change anything.”