KingsGambit
Caldari Knights
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Posted - 2009.03.09 18:13:00 -
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This topic is indirectly related to the (controversial) ID card scheme being developed/trialled in the UK. Though there are other reasons behind a national identity card system, one of the main ones is centrally accessible information, and despite my personal misgivings about the ID cards, this information sharing is actually brilliant and long overdue IMO. It offers two main benefits really, one to govmt and one to us.
For govmt, being able to share information between depts cuts out a LOT of needless bureaucracy, saves time and most importantly, makes it harder to get away with fraud. Like any country with social welfare schemes, there are sadly many who abuse the system, welching off the taxpayer, claiming benefits they shouldn't be entitled to and so on. By sharing this information, frauds won't be able to get away with telling one thing to one dept. and another to the next.
For us, it can potentially save a lot of headaches when dealing with local govmts. How many times have you had a conversation along the lines of "But that dept told me to call you because it wasn't something they handled. This is the third time I've been passed around". At present, the left hand of local govmts doesn't know what the right is doing. If it can make life easier, for example when seeking planning permission, discussing benefits or income tax, then it can only be a good thing. Also, if medical records can be accessed centrally, that would be an incredible benefit to hospitals who can bring up a patients history, allergies, religious beliefs and so on, so they know exactly the kind of care they need to provide, whichever hospital you go to.
I think the OP is intentionally making the bill out to be a sinister, Orwellian type affair because there hasn't been a UK bashing thread for more than a couple of days. Data Protection will still apply and there's zero chance some low-level clerk will have access to your life history. Information will be shared between depts. that need it, as and when.
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