WRITTEN ON September 26th, 2008 BY William Heath AND STORED IN Foundation of Trust, Identity, What do we want?

Someone called “Strategic Relationships Team” emails me at my old email address (the one, come to think of it, where Ho Moffiss has just emailed me to confirm I had opted not to receive emails from Ho Moffiss) to say:

I attach an updated version of the Level 1 Guidance which replaces the version sent on 25th September. This is now version 1.2. The guidance has been updated to reflect the fact that it is not mandatory for foreign nationals to show their card when they apply for social security benefits. It will of course be helpful for individuals wanting to establish identity and entitlement in a simple and secure way.

So what will version 1.3 guidance, due out tomorrow, look like? Perhaps it wil clarify more generally that even though these cards servce no useful function and should be snipped up and made into paperweights they do provide a simple way to remind people who they are, should they find they need to do so.

Meanwhile these “residence permit” cards have the same effect as the absurd driving licence cards which are no use at all without the paper counterpart. You guesed it: since the ID card is not a travel document now foreign nationals have to go abroad with both passport and obnoxious ID card. Two things to lose or get stolen. Such is progress.

“Strategic Relationships Team” adds:

If you have any questions please send them to the UK Border Agency Identity Management Team at identitymanagement@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

I’m still awaiting a reply from my last email last month, so don’t hold your breath.

Wibbi public servants behaved in a way that reassured me that – as global capitalism and the world economy collapses round our ears – our taxes were being spent that reflected our wishes and priorities, and our desire to be treated with dignity and respect.