Latest Moan From You and Me 2025

Similar situation here. I've had a history of Sinus problems which can cause excruciating toothache. I've always gone to the dentist who does an X-ray to check there's nothing desperately wrong with my teeth and even when there's no sign of an abscess he/she prescribes me antibiotics to cure the sinus infection.

But now my current dentist has told me they can't (won't?) prescribe antibiotics for me again. Apparently I now have to see my GP. Contrast that with a lady dentist I used to have who gave me some antibiotics to take with me on a trip to a wild part of Scotland just in case I needed them if I couldn't get to a dentist or doctor!

 

Apparently, Keir is set to announce mandatory ID cards. Was this in the manifesto? I don't recall it being so. Have the Scottish and Welsh parliaments agreed? Or is it just a "dead cat on the table" distraction?

Anyway, no matter, as the idea that the gov could get a secure system up and running seems laughable so I won't bother to get agitated about the possible implications down the line, eg the use of these to prevent law-abiding UK citizens going about their lives unobstructed by gov whim.

 

I don’t have a smartphone, and no plans to get one, so I presumably won’t be affected by any digital ID requirements?

 

My thoughts exactly @Ergates , will be interested to see how they deal with us non-techy folk

 

I don't have one either ... though when in John Lewis this morning looking for a lampshade, I stopped to admire the new £999 iPhone Air. A member of staff was by my side within a nanosecond. Would I like any information on its various marvels? I said I'd heard the back picks up scratches very easily. Hmm, he replied noncommittally, though really I knew he meant "Yep! Nightmare!"

 

I dont think a digital ID card has anything to do with mobile phones
Anyone got a driving licence? Passport?

 

I think the idea is it will be on your phone, @pete. A virtual digital ID.

 

What exactly is so worrying about an ID card? Mine gives me access to the bank to open an account and to the medical system here so I can access GP/specialists and other services. I can also use it, or my driving license, when writing a cheque or picking up a parcel from a depot service and so on.

Possum had to present hers to sign up for college and be taken on by Bénéteau and set up her salary payments.

Such a system would massively reduce fraud in the social security system, ensure non Brits weren't being NHS tourists and that non legals would not be employed in legitimate businesses. How you stop all the illegal nail parlours/baccy shops/car washes and other dodgy users of illegal labour is another matter.

Most countries in the EU have ID cards and fully competent systems to register and manage them and they are digitised now so it wouldn't be a case of re-inventing the wheel. The UK could simply buy a system ready made and just get it translated.

 

It will be like a credit card in my thinking.
Similar to a driving licence.

 

I don’t have a driving licence or a passport or a smartphone so….what happens then?

 

They give you an ID card, simple.

 

That sounds sensible, but are the powers that be as logical as that?

 

Well I cant imagine anyone, not even this government, would envisage a system if ID cards that only applied to mobile phone users.

 

Just remembered - I do have a seniors bus pass so that’ll do the trick @pete