*Contacting us:* Call or email the office – 020-7793-4005 or (office@no2id.net).
+ REPORT FROM MANCHESTER LAUNCH OF ID CARDS +
On Monday (30th November) the Manchester Identity and Passport Service threw open its doors to welcome guinea pigs to enrol for the ID Card Con (though they didn't put it quite that way). Despite sub-zero temperatures, NO2ID had a successful day. Dave Page (NO2ID Manchester and NW regional coordinator) was interviewed by GMTV outside the IPS office at 5:30am – for which he deserves a medal. James Elsdon-Baker (North of England coordinator) spoke on City Talk breakfast show, broadcast across the NW. A pre-recorded radio interview with Dave played out through the day and he wrote a great piece for the Guardian's Comment is Free:
www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/
2009/nov/30/id-cards-manchester-database-state
Outside The Printworks in Manchester, the dreaded 'smiley fingerprint' campaign was in action. They were on mobile cycle signs that had a habit of moving whenever our stall got placed in front of them.
Inside The Printworks, Meg Hillier (Minister for Identity) was closed off inside one bar which had been transformed into a propaganda hub with stickers saying they accept ID cards, posters in the window, etc. All the screens in the place were showing a pro-ID card video. It also looked like they were also taking pictures of people scanning their fingerprints with a reader by the entrance.
Ms Hillier did a Q&A session to the assembled media, while NO2ID supporters handed out leaflets outside. Security tried to get us to move our stall off a public highway to the other side of the road, and then tried to say we needed a licence to hand out flyers! Chatting to one of the security guards later, he apologised and said he was totally against ID cards but had been told to move us.
Channel M, with whom we made contact at The Printworks, came along to our lunchtime protest and filmed an interview. Dave also did an interview for BBC local radio, and we recorded some quotes for the PM program. Heading off afterwards to warm up, we saw more of the mobile signs promoting ID cards – which must be costing a bit. Wonder how long they'll last?
*+ MEDICAL CONFIDENTIALITY UNDER THREAT… AGAIN +*
The Department of Health has declared it will push ahead with a mass roll-out of its controversial Summary Care Record (SCR) – uploading parts of your medical record and personal details to a centralised system that is ultimately intended to hold your complete medical history.
So far, only London and the East of England have been mentioned but other regions may be targeted too.
A University College London report found scant evidence for any of the claimed benefits in SCR pilot areas but it appears the Department of Health still wants to ride roughshod over patient consent and medical confidentiality.
Having outraged medics and patients with its 'implied consent' model – where it is assumed you have consented to having your sensitive information uploaded if you do not respond to a single notification letter – the Department has adopted a bizarre approach it calls 'consent to view'.
Under this scheme, you will still only be sent a single letter. If you do not respond*, your details will still be uploaded onto the system where they will be accessible to all sorts of non-clinical staff including administrators, bean-counters and bureaucrats, without your knowledge or consent. Once on the system, you will not be able to have your details taken off – but you will have to give permission for your OWN doctor to view your record!
It is clear that 'consent to view' will not protect medical confidentiality. And the roll-out may be coming to you, sooner than you think.
Please be on the alert and, if you haven't done so already, think about opting out now. You can always opt in later, if the government can prove its system works. We strongly recommend using the opt-out letter we developed with TheBigOptOut:
www.nhsconfidentiality.org/optoutletter
– *Unless you have already opted out, by telling your GP that you want to.
What just happened?
+ First Guinea Pig enrols +
Radio 4's PM programme on Monday featured a report on the first person to enrol on the ID card scheme in Manchester. The unlucky person was journalist Angela Epstein, who has waxed lyrical about the scheme in the Manchester Evening News so much that the Identity and Passport Service decided to offer her the first one. According to Epstein the dialogue went as follows: “since you're so supportive of the scheme would you like the first one? I thought well yeah, why not, thank you”. Her enrolment took one hour (which seems rather slow considering most of the systems and interrogation checks are not in place) during which Epstein had to choose five security questions: “things like what's your favourite food?”, have her application form checked and have her biometrics taken – though because of a roast potato burn on her index finger a note had to be made that she was wearing a sticking plaster when her fingerprints were taken. After receiving her plastic card Epstein wrote in an opinion piece for the Manchester Evening News this week (pictured holding a card with specimen stamped across it): “I'm so proud I could almost burst I haven't felt this good about cradling something small and pink since my daughter Sophie was born”. It has been revealed that 1386 people have applied for an ID card - probably some of them are not journalists. Listen to the PM Programme (from 42 minutes in) at:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00p1lgz/PM_30_11_2009/
+ Meg Hillier loses the public vote +
On Monday 23rd November Meg Hillier, the so called ID minister, took part in a webchat organised by Manchester Evening News. As usual Hillier skirted around the 50 pieces of information that will be stored on the ID database and claimed that the data is “the same as currently for the passport plus NI [National Insurance] number, plus up to date address and fingerprints and picture”. When asked about the steep penalty charges for not keeping information on the database up to date, Hillier said: “The penalty charges are really an encouragement to keep info up to date”. The chat ended with a chatters poll on the question “Will you be getting an ID card?” – 96% of respondents said no. Read a transcript at
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/
news/s/1183432_id_card_webchat_
+ Liverpool Council could curb ID card promotion +
Liverpool City Council could soon be stepping up their opposition to the ID scheme after a new motion has been tabled that would ban the government from promoting ID cards on any council property, or from using any council communications. The motion will be put to the full council on Wednesday 9th December. Liverpool City Council, like many councils around the country, has already passed a more general motion against the ID scheme.
+ Patient records consultation responses published +
The Department of Health has published the results of its consultation on the use of patient information. The report reveals that 53% of the general public who responded and 46% of patients thought that identifiable data should never be used for research purposes without consent while only 11% of researchers thought this. The consultation was related to the so called “Secondary Uses Service (SUS)” whereby every time you attend a hospital appointment your post code, date of birth, GP details, consultant details, outpatient clinic, inpatient admission, procedure and cost details, and whether you are to be followed up is all sent by the hospital to a regional hosting centre and can be accessed by your local Primary Care Trust, Strategic Health Authority and the Department of Health via the SUS database – that BT now manages…
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/
Responsestoconsultations/DH_109310
+ Fingerprint checks at UK border +
Statewatch reports that: “From 30 November 2009, the UK Border Agency is introducing fingerprint checks at the border for passengers with biometric UK visas, entry clearances and identity cards for foreign nationals (ICFNs). This is being introduced incrementally at ports across the United Kingdom by March 2010.”
See www.statewatch.org/news/2009/
nov/uk-entering-fingerprints.pdf
What's next?
*+ 15th December – Come and celebrate Christmas with NO2ID! +*
Tuesday 15th December from 6pm 'til late at The Chapel Bar, 29a Penton Street, London, N1 9PX. We'll have the exclusive use of the top bar and heated terrace area (see www.thechapelbar.co.uk, for full details) for the whole evening. There will be music, a fully stocked bar and maybe even a bit of food. The closest tube station is Angel, on the Northern Line, one stop south of King's Cross. There's plenty of room so if you'd like to bring a guest or few please do, though please note that as the party will be held in a bar, under 18s will not be admitted. For further information please contact Stephanie at administrator@no2id.net
*+ 2nd December – 9th January – '1984' at the Battersea Arts Centre +*
Wednesday 2nd December – Saturday 9th January, tickets £10 – £16. Six decades after 1984's first publication, Blind Summit Theatre and BAC bring George Orwell's classic text to life in a visually stunning adaptation combining physical theatre, puppetry and music. Orwell's text is acutely relevant for our time with its predictions of globalisation, surveillance, paranoia and control. Box Office 020 7223 2223.
* + 6th December – NO2ID Annual General Meeting of NO2ID (the Association) +*
The AGM is open to all members and will take place on SUNDAY, 6th December 2009 starting promptly at 3:30pm, at St Gabriel's Halls Boys' Club, Glasgow Terrace, Churchill Gardens, Pimlico, LONDON SW1V 3AA. For those who have attended previous AGMs, this is a different hall and entrance though the same building. Because of current postal delays, nominations to the Advisory Board will be accepted by email (to general.secretary@no2id.net — with the subject line “nomination” and contact details of proposers and seconders), or hand delivered or sent by prepaid post to: NO2ID, Box No 412, 19 – 21 Crawford Street, London W1H 1PJ. Formal notice has been sent out by post to all paid-up members. If you don't receive your notice and you think you are a member, please contact the office. There are several people paying money by direct bank transfers whom we have been unable to identify.
*+ Reckless misuse of personal data consultation +*
The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation 'Knowing or reckless misuse of personal data – introducing custodial sentences' described as a consultation on “exercising the power to provide for custodial sanctions for those found guilty of knowingly or recklessly obtaining, disclosing, selling or procuring the disclosure of personal data without the consent of the data controller”. The consultation closes on 7th January 2010. Full details and how to respond at
www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/misuse-personal-data.htm
** *+ POWER2010 campaign wants your ideas +*
NO2ID supporters are invited to contribute ideas for the POWER2010 campaign, which will set out a reforming agenda at the next general election. Naturally NO2ID would like ideas about curtailing the database state to feature, but you are certainly not limited to that. You can contribute ANY ideas for governmental reform on the campaign's website at: (www.power2010.org.uk). The ideas with most support will become the POWER2010 Pledge, which the campaign intends to invite every candidate standing at the next general election to make the pledge into their own public commitment, so that the new parliament will be fully aware of what the public thinks of those building-blocks of government which are fundamental but seldom covered by manifestos.
*+ Have your say – National Identity Service Public Panels +*
The UK Identity and Passport Service (UKIPS) is setting up public panels around the country to get the views of members of the public as they build the “National Identity Service”. Public panels will be made up of 11 members, and will meet for half a day up to three times a year. The aim is to “produce an Identity Rights Charter. This will set out the rights and responsibilities people, businesses and the Government have under the NIS”. To join a panel you can fill in the online form at www.ips.gov.uk/publicpanel or call 020 3356 8174. More details at
www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1189.htm
“ID” in the news
*+ Consultation on use of records – e-Health insider 2/12/09 +*
The Department of Health is to launch a series of pilots to examine how patients can opt out of having their records viewed for research purposes after its consultation found a wide gap between the views of researchers and the public.
www.e-health-insider.com/news/5435
/consultation_on_use_of_records
*+ ID cards now available. Count me out – The Guardian 30/11/09 +*
I will be making a trip to the Identity and Passport Service's registration centre in Manchester at 1pm today. I will not be registering for an identity card. Instead, I will be joining friends from NO2ID and other campaigns in demonstrating against the identity scheme. Our message is simple — “Don't be a guinea pig, stop the ID card con!”
www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/
2009/nov/30/id-cards-manchester-database-state
*+ Gov targets boozers as Manc ID card scheme launches – The Register 30/11/09 +*
A handful of lucky Mancunians should be getting their hands on ID cards within ten days, after the government officially kicked off the much-anticipated scheme in the Northern city today. ID minister Meg Hillier reiterated how important the ID card scheme would be for city's booze economy – Manchester has one of the highest student populations in Europe.
www.theregister.co.uk/
2009/11/30/manchester_id/
*+ ID cards available to people in Greater Manchester – BBC News online 30/11/09 +*
People living in Greater Manchester have become the first UK residents able to buy an identity card. Anyone in the area who wants the £30 biometric ID card can enrol at passport offices or Manchester Airport
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8385754.stm
*+ ID cards rolled out in Manchester – Daily Express 30/11/09 +*
LABOUR'S controversial ID card scheme is being rolled out in Manchester from today, after costing the taxpayer an estimated £200million to produce
www.express.co.uk/posts/view/143262/ID-cards-
rolled-out-in-Manchester-amid-controversy
*+ ID card database: 500 names added in first month – silicon.com 26/11/09 +*
The National Identity Register [Ed: temporary register] – the database behind the ID card scheme – contains more than 500 names after a month of operation. The database went live on 20 October, and the identity commissioner Sir Joseph Pilling said it contains 538 names as of 19 November.
www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,380001
0403,39674576,00.htm?s_cid=552
** (Please send me any items of interest you encounter – Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )
*+ LOCAL GROUPS NEWS + *
To see if there's a group in your area check our list at www.no2id.net/localgroups/ Or, if you're interested in starting a group yourself, please contact Matty on local.groups@no2id.net to discuss what's involved and what we have in place to support coordinators and their groups.
_*+ Cambridge +*_
*+ 5th December – Cambridge NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 5th December, in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall (www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS) from 1pm (note earlier time). Please contact Andrew on 07710 469624 if you'd like to help.
_**__*+ Canterbury +*_
To stay up to date join the Canterbury NO2ID mailing list on:
lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.canterbury
_*+ Dorking +*_
Everyone welcome to our monthly get-togethers. Every first Tuesday of the month at the Wine Bar, South Street, Dorking. One more street stall before Christmas, maybe Guildford? Come and help us plan a couple of events leading up to the general election. For more information contact Geoff Cox at dorking@no2id.net
_*+ Dover +*_*
*To stay up to date with Dover NO2ID join our mailing list on: lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.dover
_**__*+ Edinburgh + *_*
PSCA International Conference: “Respecting Privacy, Building Trust” *PSCA International organized a conference on Data Protection in Scotland, “Respecting Privacy, Building Trust” in Edinburgh on 25th November. Three members of NO2ID were amongst the 120 or so who attended; they were mainly from local authorities, NHS, etc. The conference aimed to raise awareness of the ICO and of the draft government proposals for identity management and to discuss principles of best practice in the public sector. More information is at (www.publicserviceevents.co.uk/main/programme.asp?event_ID=128) Privacy principles are in place. It remains to be seen to what extent they are observed.
*+ Saturdays 1pm – 3pm – NO2ID Edinburgh Street Stall +*
Every week, weather permitting, you will find our campaigning stall at the east end of Princes Street, opposite the Balmoral Hotel. Do drop by for a chat. New volunteers – please contact John (edinburgh@no2id.net), and for more group information see
www.no2id-scotland.net/edinburgh/
_*+ Epsom +*_
If anyone wants to get involved in the Epsom area, please email or phone NO2ID South East Regional Coordinator Geoff Cox on south.east@no2id.net or call 01306 631377.
_*+ Exeter +*_
If you would like to join the Exeter group, please email exeter@no2id.net and say hello! Do also join the Exeter group mailing list at lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.exeter
** _*+ Glasgow +*_
*+ 8th December – Seminar: Databases, surveillance and crime control +*
Tuesday 8th December, from 10am-4pm – the Institute for Advanced Studies and Scottish Institute for Policing Research is holding a seminar which will critically examine the use of DNA, financial records and passenger information in the fight against crime and in the European war on terrorism. Details (and booking form) are available on the SIPR site – (www.sipr.ac.uk/downloads/Surveillance/Invite_letter.pdf). The seminar will take place at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Places are free, but there are only a limited number available and booking is required.
_*+ Hammersmith & Fulham +*_
Support welcomed from any NO2ID members in London. More information on www.no2id-handf.org.uk/act.htm, or from Brian, hammersmith@no2id.net or 07976-414913.
_*+ Hull and East Riding +*_
*+ 3rd December – Hull and East Riding NO2ID Meeting +*
Thursday 3rd December, 7:30pm at Ye Olde White Hart pub in Hull. For more information contact Tim Alderslade on 0785 5337616.
_*+ Ipswich +*_* *
If you are interested in the work of the Ipswich group, please join their mailing list on: www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.ipswich
_*+ Kensington and Chelsea +*_
*Last remaining NO2ID Mugs*
Kensington and Chelsea NO2ID have a few NO2ID mugs left. If anyone would like to buy one at the AGM would they let Jill Manasseh know at kensington@no2id.net by 5th December.
_*+ Lancaster +*_
Subscribe to the Lancaster NO2ID e-mail list at www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.lancaster
_*+ Leeds +*_
*+ 19th December – Yorkshire Christmas Drinks in Leeds +*
Saturday 19th December, the sound of sleigh bells will descend on Leeds as Santa pays a visit to the city centre. But what's this he's giving out? Lost data sticks and CDs! The recession has been hitting the elves hard, but thanks to the government there is a ready supply of personal data they can give out to all those on the 'list'. Santa may need some refreshment after this, and as dusk falls we will be heading off to Mr. Foley's Cask Ale House (159 The Headrow Leeds LS1 5RG). We warmly invite all our supporters from across the region to join us for the festivities. Email leeds@no2id.net if you would like to lend a hand (or arrange to meet us in the bar).
_*+ Leicester +*_
*+ 9th December – Leicester NO2ID +*
Wednesday 9th December, 6:30pm at the Lancaster Arms, 234 Green Lane Road, Leicester LE5 4PA (on the corner with Lancaster St, near East Park Road).
_*+ Liverpool +*_
*+ 5th December – Liverpool NO2ID Launch Meeting +*
Saturday 5th December at 11:30 am in the Tuebrook Hope Centre (Rear St John's Church, 1B Snaefell Avenue, Liverpool, L13 7HA). With news that people in Merseyside might have ID cards arriving in the New Year we are pleased to announce that Liverpool NO2ID will be having a launch meeting as part of the Don't be a Guinea Pig campaign. The meeting will be followed straight after by a street stall near Tuebrook Market. Further details – James Elsdon-Baker (North@no2id.net). If you are interested in the work of this group, or planning on attending the meeting, please join the Liverpool mailing group here: no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.liverpool
_*+ Manchester +*_
*+ 12th December – Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 12th December, 2pm-4pm, St. Ann's Square in Manchester City Centre (down near the big Marks and Spencer). Many people have fallen for Home Office spin that the National Identity Scheme has been cancelled, that it isn't a threat or is voluntary. It's more important than ever to get the word out about the Database State. Manchester NO2ID will be running a public information stall to raise awareness about the ID Card Con. Feel free to join us to lend a hand or just chat. You don't need any experience or equipment, just a bit of time to spare and a friendly smile! This will be our first stall after the UKIPS office opens at Westminster House, and the last stall before Christmas. We're sure to have a busy time with the Christmas Market in town – so a big turnout will definitely be welcome!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179199302403
Web: manchester.no2id.net/content/street-stall-december-2009
*+ 16th December – Manchester NO2ID Christmas Social +*
Wednesday 16th December, 7pm-10pm, central Manchester venue tbc. No agendas, no minutes, just anti-ID card campaigners meeting up for a drink and a chat – a good way to get to know others who share your interest in the National Identity Scheme, and always great fun in the past. Any venue preferences or suggestions, feel free to contact us. If enough people are interested, we'll look at going for a meal – the last NO2ID meal after the ID Card Con day of action was fantastic!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181600207082
Web: manchester.no2id.net/content/christmas-social-2009
**_*+ Norwich +*_ * *
*+ 12th December – Norwich NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 12th December, 1-3pm at The Haymarket, Gentleman's Walk. Meet the public and spread the word! It's only a couple of hours a month and is a very productive way of telling people how much the ID card scheme is a complete waste of money and gross invasion of privacy!
*+ 15th December – Norwich NO2ID Meeting +*
Tuesday 15th December, 7:30-9pm, Norwich NO2ID will be meeting at The Workshop Cafe (opposite The Black Horse), 53 Earlham Road, NR2 3AD. Come along to air your views and get involved in positive action to stop the database state.
*+ 21st December – Secret Peaceman's Ball +*
Monday 21st December, 7:30-10:30pm at St Thomas Church Hall, Earlham Road. Norwich NO2ID in association with Norfolk CAAT invites you to the Secret Peaceman's Ball (masks optional, unless you're special branch) – to meet, greet and have fun with other activists.
If you are interested in the work of the Norwich group, please join their mailing list on: www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.norwich
_*+ Oxford +*_
*+ 3rd December – Oxford NO2ID Monthly Meeting +*
Thursday 3rd December, 8pm at The Mitre, High Street, Oxford. Our regular monthly meeting for a chat and to plan further events. Since this is the last one of the year we'll look back at what we did in 2009, which included a public meeting, a trip to Manchester, a film showing and helping out at a comedy gig.
See the website for more: no2id-oxford.org.uk/
_*+ Portsmouth +*_
*+ 5th December – Portsmouth NO2ID Meeting and Street Stall +*
Saturday 5th December, 2pm at The Bold Forester pub, halfway up Albert Road, Southsea PO4 0JW. Portsmouth NO2ID is officially reforming! Come to our inaugural meeting, which we hope to follow with a brief street stall at an as yet undecided location nearby. All are welcome; the nearby Southampton group have proven to be highly effective, and we hope to provide an additional stronghold from which to assault this scheme from the south coast. For any queries please contact Michael Richards on portsmouth@no2id.net or 07889 129039. See you there!
Join the Portsmouth mailing list at lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.portsmouth/
_*+ Reading +*_* *
Contact Reading NO2ID on reading@no2id.net or join our web group at groups.yahoo.com/group/Reading-No2ID/
* * _*+ Watford +*_* * *+
5th December – Watford NO2ID Street Stall in St Albans + *
Please contact Colin Simmons on watford@no2id.net if you are interested in giving a couple of hours a month to join us.
_*+ York +*_
*+ 9th January – York NO2ID Meeting and Street Stall +*
Saturday 9th January from 12:30pm at the Golden Fleece, 16 Pavement, York YO1 9UP. This meeting will be to plan events for the busy new year ahead of us. Afterwards we will be heading out into the city centre to hold a street stall for a couple of hours.
Publication details: © NO2ID 2009 – This document may be freely redistributed in one-to-one communications or physical copies as long as it is reproduced in its entirety including this notice. It may not be mass-mailed without the prior permission of NO2ID.
NO2ID, Box 412, 19-21 Crawford Street, LONDON W1H 1PJ