*Contacting us:* Call or email the office – 020-7793-4005 or (office@no2id.net).
+ PROTECT MEDICAL CONFIDENTIALITY NOW +
Some of you will remember the fight to provide patients with rights over the NHS Summary Care Records back in 2006-7. Though the vast majority of GPs and the public opposed the uploading of patients’ information without explicit consent, the Department of Health pushed on regardless, uploading the details of anyone* who failed to respond to a single letter.
Now the Department is bribing health authorities across the UK to do a massive mailshot to patients. Fail to respond to a single letter and your personal details – including sensitive medical information, such as your last 6 months’ prescriptions – will be permanently uploaded to the NHS spine.
We’d like to know when and where these mailshots are going, as we suspect that the Department of Health is still trying to pull a fast one. If you receive one of the mailshots, which should contain a leaflet entitled ‘Changes to your health records’, and it DOESN’T contain a copy of the opt out form then please get in touch with us via office@no2id.net
Latest info indicates that mailshots could already be going out to parts of London and the East of England, with health authorities in the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and Humber to follow in coming weeks. It would be helpful if you could indicate the region in which you live when you contact the office. — *Anyone, that is, who had not already got their GP to put a ‘stop code’ on their medical record using the NHS Confidentiality Campaign’s opt out letter – which you can still send, if you haven’t done so already: www.nhsconfidentiality.org/optoutletter
What just happened?
+ Thanks to North West volunteers +
We would like to thank all those who have volunteered to date to help with distributing our new ‘Don’t be a Guinea Pig’ leaflets across the North West. If you would like to assist with this we have plenty to give out. Just email James our North of England coordinator on north@no2id.net
+ Governments want young people as next ID Guinea Pigs +
This week it was announced that young people in London can enrol in the National Identity Scheme from 8th February. The sales pitch is that it offers a “convenient” form of proof of age. The choice before the young people of London is: you can spend £10 on a proof-of-age card from an independent charity with no other commitment; or you can pay £30 now, be fingerprinted, and agree to account for your personal details to the Home Office for the rest of your life. Tricky decision.
+ ID cards commencement order includes internet Guinea Pigs +
The commencement order signed by the ID Minister Meg Hillier this week to foist ID cards on young people in London also expands the ID card con into cyberspace. The order states that from 8th February, any British citizens (holding a passport on or after 1st January 2009) who has signed up for the Identity Cards newsletter at ‘The Early Interest Website’ by 30th June 2010 can also apply to be enrolled as an ID card guinea pig. In November Hillier revealed that “2,445 people from the Greater Manchester area have expressed an interest in continuing to be updated about the National Identity Service via the Early Interest Website” and last week it was revealed that “over 1,300 people who live in Greater Manchester, have applied and attended an enrolment appointment for an identity card”. That’s a conversion rate of a little over 50%. See www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100126_en_1
+ Ministerial ID card bragging +
The take up of ID cards may be slow with the general public but Home Office ministers are all carded up (voluntarily of course). A recent Freedom of Information request to the Home Office asked if ID card minister Meg Hillier was required to pay for her card and if so how much and whether she was claiming it on expenses. The response states: “I can confirm that Meg Hillier paid £30 for her Identity Card and will not be claiming for it.” Home Office minister Lord West of Spithead this week told peers: “I have one myself, and it is actually quite useful, I have to say”, whilst Home Secretary Alan Johnson offered to get his out in the House of Commons on 14th December in response to a parliamentary question when he said: “I have one myself – in case nobody in here knows who I am – which I can show the right hon. Gentleman afterwards”. The government says that 3,500 people now have an ID card – one question is, how many of those are Labour ministers or MPs?
+ Mapeley ID Interrogation Centres too expensive +
Back in 2006 the ID enrolment plan was to create 69 interrogation centres around the country and the contact to supply offices was won by Mapeley (the property company that bought the offices of the Inland Revenue in a controversial outsourcing deal) [See Newsletter 41]. It has now emerged that the use of Mapely Accommodation has been rejected on the grounds of cost. Describing the interrogation centre deal, under ‘Key achievements’ Mapeley’s corporate brochure says only: “Cost certainty in a moving market”.
+ Birmingham council votes against ID scheme +
Earlier this month Birmingham city council reaffirmed its resistance to the ID cards scheme by passing a motion against the scheme and the database state. The motion stated: “The implementation of the NHS computer system has cost billions and resulted in the reduction of frontline services as maternity and A&E departments are closed across the country”. For more details see:
petersmallbone.blogspot.com/2010/01/labours-flagship-id-cards-policy-in.html
What’s next?
** *+ Call for North West Volunteers +*
If you fancy doing something practical then we have a large supply of our new “Don’t be a Guinea Pig” leaflets, that warn of the dangers of being foolish enough to volunteer for the scheme. Ensuring as many people as possible are aware of what they are really signing up for helps us ensure people are not conned by the marketing. If you fancy helping out then email north@no2id.net with the number you would be happy to distribute and we will send them to you. Even better, come along to the next meeting of your local group to pick some up and meet some like-minded people. Check out
www.no2id.net/localgroups/ for a list of groups in your area.
*+ POWER2010 public vote +*
NO2ID supporters will be glad to hear that ‘Scrap ID cards and roll back the database state’ was one of the reforms short-listed for the POWER2010 public vote, which now runs until 22nd February 2010. The top 5 ideas at the end of the voting process will then become the POWER2010 Pledge – the backbone of a nationwide campaign for change at the next election. You can cast your vote online at www.power2010.org.uk/votes (you will need to provide an e-mail address). You can of course vote for as many reforms as you like, but just once for each reform.
*+ 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
*+ Biometric enrolment incurs £8 fee at Post Office – ZDNet 28/1/10 +*
The Post Office is charging foreign nationals £38 to apply for an identity card. The charge is made up of an £8 handling fee, including taking the applicant’s biometrics, and the standard £30 fee for new and replacement identity cards. The government plans to extend the registration of biometrics — 10 fingerprints and a photograph — for passport applicants from 2012.
news.zdnet.co.uk/security/0,1000000189,40010716,00.htm
*+ Entire UK will be on ID database sometime in next 3 millennia – The Register 26/1/10 +*
Applications to join the ID card register are running at 50 a day, meaning the Labour government will achieve its aim of chipping the entire population of these islands in somewhere between 136 and 3,342 years.
www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/26/id_cards_rate/
*+ National ID cards available to London youth – Public Technology 25/1/10 +*
The government’s multi-billion pound National ID card scheme leaves its north of England base, and moves to attract the capital’s youth. The controversial National ID scheme is to be offered to London’s young adults aged 16-24 from today, according to the Home Office.
www.publictechnology.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=22448
*+ ID cards: Should Britain stop protesting and embrace the inevitable? – silicon.com 21/1/10 +*
ID cards have been resisted in Britain so far but not so in the rest of Europe. Lawyer Patrick van Eecke looks at the wide range of uses for electronic identity cards – from e-government to signing into chat rooms.
www.silicon.com/management/public-sector/2010/01/21/id-cards-
should-britain-stop-protesting-and-embrace-the-inevitable-39745354/
*+ Manchester ID staff suffer isolation as new dawn fades – The Register 21/1/10 +*
The people of Manchester have either lost all interest in travelling abroad and drinking, or couldn’t give a monkey’s about the government’s lame duck ID card scheme, if a commons answer is anything to go by. www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/21/id_cards_q/
(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.
_*+ Birmingham +*_
*+ 30th January – Birmingham NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 30th January in Birmingham city centre. Call 07943 951 816 or email birmingham@no2id.net for more details.
_*+ Cambridge +*_
*+ 3rd February – Cambridge NO2ID Pub Meeting + *
Wednesday 3rd February, 7:30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW (www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/CYXNES29) for Cambridge NO2ID’s usual monthly pub meeting. We are starting to lay plans for a joint election hustings with Cambridge Oxfam & Amnesty groups. If you’re interested in helping, please come to this pub meeting.
*+ 6th February – Cambridge NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 6th February 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.
For more details email andrew.watson@no2id.net or call 07710 469624.
_*+ Camden and Islington +*_
*+ 2nd February – Camden and Islington NO2ID Meeting (first Tuesday of month) +*
Tuesday 2nd February, 8.00pm at the Kings Head, 59 Essex Rd, Islington. All welcome.
_**__*+ Canterbury +*_
To stay up to date join the Canterbury NO2ID mailing list on: lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.canterbury
*_+ Coventry +_*
*+ 18th February – Coventry NO2ID Meeting + *
Thursday 18th February, 18:30-19:30 at the Squirrel Pub [New Union Street, city centre]. We’ll be discussing arrangements for the Saturday stall and other ways we can get involved in the fight against the database state. Everyone welcome; bring a friend.
*+ 20th February – Coventry NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 20th February, 9:30am onwards. The street stall is back. We’ll be setting up by the Bull-Yard, near the Glasshouse Bar in the city centre. If you’re free to lend a hand, even for an hour, please get in touch with Claire [coventry@no2id.net] or come to the meeting on Thursday 18th to find out more.
_*+ Dorking +*_
*+ 2nd February – Dorking NO2ID Monthly Meeting (first Tuesday of month) +*
Tuesday 2nd February, at 7.30pm – our monthly get-together at South Street Wine Bar, 43 South Street, Dorking. Come and help plan our special Election Question Time on Civil Liberties.
If you would like to help or get involved, email Geoff Cox at dorking@no2id.net or come along to our monthly get-togethers.
_*+ Dover +*_*
*To stay up to date with Dover NO2ID join our mailing list on: lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.dover
_**__*+ Edinburgh + *_***** ****+
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/
_**_ _*+ 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
** _*+ Hull +*_
*New Co-ordinator for Hull NO2ID*
We are pleased to welcome Carla Ramsay on board as the new Hull coordinator. Carla can be reached at hull@no2id.net
*+ 30th January – Hull NO2ID Meeting and Street Stall +*
Saturday 30th January, 12 noon at The Mission pub in the city centre (11-13 Posterngate, HU1 2JB – very close to Princes Quay shopping centre – www.viewhull.co.uk/pubsandbars/the-mission-info-61165.html). Following the meeting the group will head out to Victoria Square by City Hall with a view to starting a street stall between 1.00 and 1.30 pm for a couple of hours. All welcome!
If you are interested in the work of this group, or planning on attending the meeting, please join the Hull mailing group here: www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.hull
_**__*+ 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
_*+ Lancaster +*_
If you are interested in the work of this group, or planning on attending the meeting, please join the Lancaster mailing group at www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.lancaster
_*+ Leeds +*_
*+ 31st January – Leeds NO2ID Brainstorming Meeting +*
Sunday 31st January, 2pm in Dr Okel’s/Mr Foleys (Headrow, opposite Leeds city library) Leeds NO2ID will be holding a brainstorming meeting for further publicity ideas.
_*+ Liverpool +*_
If you are interested in the work of this group, or planning on attending the meeting, please join the Liverpool mailing group at no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.liverpool
_*+ Manchester +*_ _* *_*+ 10th February – Manchester NO2ID Meeting +*
Wednesday 10th February, 7pm at Lass O’Gowrie, Manchester. At our monthly meetings we discuss the state of the NO2ID campaign, what we’ve been up to recently and where we’re going in future. Everyone is welcome, newcomer or not, curious or committed. See minutes of our previous meetings on our website. We will be in the bar before hand, enjoying the food (and maybe drink) of Manchester’s best pub (Food & Drink Festival ‘09) so look out for us if you arrive early. If you arrive after the start, just ask the bar staff to direct you upstairs.
*+ 13th February – Manchester NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 13th February, from 2pm in St Ann’s Square, Manchester (down near the big Marks and Spencer). Manchester NO2ID will be running a public information stall to raise awareness among the public and engage people in discussion about the National Identity Register. We’ll be collecting signatures for the NO2ID petition to keep people in touch with the campaign. 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!
_*+ Newcastle +*_
*+ 9th February – Newcastle NO2ID Meeting +*
Tuesday 9th February, 7:30pm at the Jazz Cafe on Pink Lane (opposite Central Station). Hope all can attend to meet our guest, James Elsdon-Baker, Northern Coordinator. Also on agenda election of officers.
**_*+ Norwich +*_ * **+ 13th February – Norwich NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 13th February, 1-3pm at The Haymarket, Gentleman’s Walk. Support for Gordon Brown, New Labour and ID cards is crumbling – come along to make sure that we decimate them all for good.
*+ 15th February – Norwich NO2ID Meeting +*
Tuesday 15th February, 7:30-9pm, Norwich NO2ID will be meeting at The Workshop Cafe (opposite The Black Horse), 53 Earlham Road, NR2 3AD. Find out how you can stick it to Charles Clarke and Co in the upcoming election.
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 +*_
*+ 4th February – Oxford NO2ID Meeting +*
Thursday 4th February, 8pm at The Mitre, High Street, Oxford. We’ll talk about what events we’ll be holding in the run up to the general election. We will also talk about who is going to chair the group in future – Chris Rimmer is going to be out of the country for almost 3 months in the summer, so whatever happens in the election someone will need to step into his shoes for at least some of this year.
*+ 6th February – Oxford NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday 6th February, 11am at St Michael’s Tower, Cornmarket, Oxford. Our regular stall in Cornmarket Street for a couple of hours or so. Hope to see you there.
See the website for more info: no2id-oxford.org.uk/
_*+ Portsmouth +*_
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/* * _*+ Southampton +*_
*+ 3rd February – Southampton NO2ID +*
Wednesday 3rd February, 8pm at the South Western Arms next to St Denys Railway Station. Please note the new venue which is on the other side of the railway, across the pedestrian bridge from the Dolphin which sadly closed down last month. We are delighted to welcome the National NO2ID Groups Co-ordinator Matty Mitford to the meeting. She will be coming down from London specially to be with us, to offer advice on planning for the General Election in the spring and to bring us up to date on what NO2ID are doing at the national level. I hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be an interesting meeting and an excellent opportunity to become more involved with the campaign in the run up to the election.
_*+ Watford +*_* *
Please contact Colin Simmons on watford@no2id.net if you are interested in giving a couple of hours a month to join us.
_*+ York +*_ * New **Co-ordinator for** York NO2ID*
Ross Bennett has now taken on the role of York coordinator – he can be reached on york@no2id.net / 07870 529 299.
If you are interested in the work of this group please join the York mailing group here: www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.york
Publication details: © NO2ID 2010 – 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