You can view this newsletter on-line in its usual format at: www.no2id.net/news/newsletters/newsletter.php?issue=119
*Contacting us:* Call or email the office – 020-7793-4005 or (office@no2id.net).
+ CLAUSE 152 – DEAD, BUT NOT QUITE BURIED… +
We can rightfully claim a famous victory as, following massive public and institutional outcry initiated by NO2ID and our close colleagues, Jack Straw has been forced to remove the appalling Clause 152 from the Coroners and Justice Bill.
Clause 152 would have provided powers to use data gathered for one purpose for any other across government and both the public and private sectors via ‘Information Sharing Orders’. It would even have allowed mass transfer of personal information across international borders. It would have vastly accelerated the building of the database state.
NO2ID had reports of individual MPs receiving over 150 personal letters from constituents on Clause 152 in the last month alone. It became the most briefed-against Clause in a Bill that contains a whole string of controversial measures.
Thanks must go to everyone who acted and who told others – we couldn’t have done it without you.
But we cannot afford to be complacent.
The government has not given up. We must be prepared for more information sharing legislation, and for an attempt to manufacture the impression of public consent via yet another “consultation” process.
And in just the next few weeks ahead we are fighting broad data-sharing and other measures in the Borders, Citizenship & Immigration Bill; dangerous wriggle-room on DNA and biometrics in the Policing and Crime Bill; phase II of NHS Summary Care Records (medical records being uploaded without consent); and the initial roll-out of ContactPoint.
If we’re to keep winning battles like Clause 152 we really need your help. In the run-up to the next general election (May 2010 at the latest) things are only going to intensify. We have to keep the pressure on against the database state, and can’t afford to let anything slip through.
Please join NO2ID *now* – www.no2id.net/join – every penny is spent fighting for YOUR freedom.
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+ What just happened? +
+ Government releases (some) ID card Gateway Reviews +
The Home Office has released two Gateway Reviews of the government’s ID scheme. The release of the documents comes as the result of a Freedom of Information request by SpyBlog in January 2005. Since then there has been a series of Information Tribunals in which the government has appealed against orders to disclose information. The government even cited the 1698 Bill of Rights to try and avoid disclosure. Gateway Reviews assess the progress of IT projects at key stages in their lifecycle. The reviews can be downloaded at
www.ogc.gov.uk/freedom_of_information_disclosures_gateway
_reviews_of_home_office_id_cards_programme__updated_
19th_march_2009.asp
+ Westminster Hall Debate on Identity Cards +
On Wednesday 11th March a Westminster Hall debate on the government’s identity card scheme and specifically the procurement of the programme was held. The “debate” was attended by Mark Todd, the MP who proposed the debate, Meg Hillier, the ID cards minister and a deputy speaker, to name but all of them. Todd opened the session by stating: “I shall not discuss the principles behind the project, nor shall I attempt to persuade the Minister that it might harm civil liberties”. Hillier showed her astounding knowledge of the project when she claimed that 70% of the cost: “will be the cost of implementing secure passports with fingerprints, something that we are doing to meet international requirements”. There are in fact no international requirements as we have repeatedly pointed out. Read the transcript at
www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2009-03-11a.138.0
Watch the debate at www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=3541
+ BeeBase National Beekeepers Register +
The National Audit Office (NAO) has produced a report focusing on the state of the UK’s bee population. At the moment bee keepers can be added voluntarily to the national database of keepers BeeBase. The NAO say if take up is not high enough then a compulsory scheme of registration should be considered – a similar argument will no doubt be used with regards the National Identity Register of humans. The bee database adds to a growing list of similar schemes such as national Poultry Register, the National Equine Database and the forthcoming Electronic Identification (EID) for sheep,
+ C-NOMIS late and expensive +
The National Audit Office (NAO) has also produced a report on the National Offenders Management Information System (C-NOMIS). The system, a single database of offenders across prison and probation services, was initiated in June 2004 for implementation by January 2008. Costs for the yet to be delivered system soared from the originally budgeted £234 million to an estimated £513 million proving that the Gateway Review system introduced by the government has done little to improve IT projects.
See www.nao.org.uk/publications/0809/national_offender_management.aspx
+ What’s next? +
*+ UK Tour of Anti-ID play +*
The UK tour of the play ‘Another Paradise’ is now underway. The play asks “What will it actually mean if all our personal information is at the fingertips of a civil servant … or a hacker? Does that violate our individuality – who we are, what we are?”. The tour will visit Yorkshire, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Stockton-on-Tees, Leeds, Plymouth, Coventry and London Details at www.kalitheatre.co.uk/whatson/Another_Paradise.htm
+ 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.
_*+ Brighton +*_
*+ 24th March – Brighton NO2ID Meeting + * Tuesday, 24th March 7.30pm at the Brighton Peace and Environment Centre (BPEC) opposite Brighton Station. We will be going to the Battle of Trafalgar for an informal chat afterwards if meetings aren’t your thing.
_*+ Bristol +*_
*+ 1st April – Bristol NO2ID Meeting +*
Wednesday, 1st April 7pm at Deco Lounge, Cotham Hill. No April Fools, just the way the day falls.
_*+ Cambridge +*_
*+ 28th March – NO2ID Cambridge Stall +*
Saturday, 28th March at 10am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall. Location Map: (www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS). Please contact Alex on 07811 917096 if you’d like to help.
*+ 1st April – Cambridge NO2ID pub meeting (1st Wednesday of each month) +*
Wednesday, 1st April 7.30pm at the Salisbury Arms, 76 Tenison Rd, Cambridge CB1 2DW (www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/CYXNES29). For more details contact cambridge@no2id.net, or text/call Andrew on 07710 469624.
*+ 18th April – NO2ID Cambridge Stall +*
Saturday, 18th April at 10am in the usual spot outside Cambridge Guildhall. Location Map: (www.aardvarkmap.net/mape/T5LZATLS). Please contact Andrew on 07710 469624 if you’d like to help.
_*+ Camden and Islington +*_
*+ 7th April – NO2ID Camden & Islington Meeting (1st Tuesday of month) +*
Tuesday, 7th April 8pm at The Castle, 54 Pentonville Road. For more info email camden@no2id.net or join the mailing list at: (www.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.camden). All welcome.
_*+ Canterbury +*_
If you would like to go on our local mailing list please e-mail canterbury@no2id.net or phone Caz on 07792 567087.
_*+ Cheltenham +*_
*+ 26th March – Cheltenham NO2ID Meeting (last Thursday of Month)+*
Thursday, 26th March (and the last Thursday of the month hereafter) at the HaHa Bar, Montpellier, Cheltenham. Please come. For more information contact the coordinator Lynda Warren on cheltenham@no2id.net
Please also join the Cheltenham mailing list on: lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.cheltenham
_*+ Deptford+ *_
*+ 12th April – Deptford NO2ID Meeting (2nd Sunday of month) +*
Sunday, 12th April 7.30pm at the Royal Albert pub, New Cross Road, SE8. For further details contact Robin Tudge on deptford:no2id.net
To stay up to date join the Deptford NO2ID mailing list on: hlists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.deptford
_*+ Dorking +*_
Dorking Group have an informal get together every first Tuesday of the month at the Lincoln Arms 7.30pm near Dorking mainline station — newcomers welcome. Next up – street stalls tba, probably 28 March in Redhill. Also a meeting has been organised with Chris Grayling Shadow Home Secretary for 9th September 7.30pm, Bourne Hall, Ewell (see Epsom for more info). Help needed to promote and organise this large scale event.
_*+ Dover +*_
*+ 30th March – Annual Meeting & Showing of “Taking Liberties” +*
Monday, 30th March 8pm at The Whole World Café, The Old High Street, Folkestone, Kent. To all members and supporters in the Deal, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe area. Dover Branch is holding its “AGM”. Some food and licensed bar will be open — the café is opening specially for us that evening. The “AGM” itself will be fairly brief and informal, followed by planning discussions for 2009's branch activities. After that there will be a screening of the documentary film “Taking Liberties”. Any queries, contact Ian Taylor — dover@no2id.net
_*+ 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/
_*+ Epsom +*_
A date for your diary: 9th September 7.30pm, Bourne Hall. The Epsom Group in conjunction with Sutton and Dorking are holding a Question Time / Public Meeting with Chris Grayling MP, Shadow Home Secretary and 3 or 4 other panellists. This will be a great opportunity to have your say directly to a possible new Home Secretary if the Conservatives win the next election. Volunteers needed to help promote the meeting.
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.* * _*+ Great Missenden +*_
If you are interested in the work of the Great Missenden group, please join their mailing list on: lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.great-missenden_**_
_*+ Norwich +*_
*+ 4th April – 1up Fest Music Event in support of NO2ID at The Queen Charlotte (and subsequently across the country) +*
On Saturday 4th April ska punkers The Faintest Idea (www.myspace.com/faintestidea) will be giving out NO2ID paraphenalia on their merchandise stall, here playing along with Random Hand and The Skints at the 1up Fest weekender event.
*+ 11th April – Norwich NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday, 11th April from 1pm until 3pm at The Haymarket on Gentleman’s Walk. Come to show your support and engage in database state debate.
*+ 14th April – Norwich NO2ID Group Meeting +*
Tuesday, 14th April at The Workshop (opposite The Black Horse) on Earlham Road from 7.30pm- 9pm. We will discuss events happening in the area, what we can do to raise awareness of this issue and further positive action we can take. Parking can be found nearby on Mill Hill Road and Park Lane.
*+ 24th April – Norwich NO2ID Stall at Mark Thomas Event at The Playhouse +*
Friday, 24th April sees Mark Thomas bringing his political comedy to Norwich. He has helpfully agreed to let us put a stand up to inform people about the cause, starting 7pm-8pm and then after the show 10pm-11pm approx.
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 +*_
*+ 28th March – Oxford NO2ID Street Stall +*
Saturday, 28th March on Cornmarket Street from 11am for a couple of hours.
*+ 2nd April – Oxford NO2ID Meeting +*
Thursday, 2nd April, 8pm at the Mitre on the High Street, Oxford. We are currently trying to organise a public meeting for the summer and hope to have some famous names involved so we will be discussing that.
*+ 25th April – Faringdon Peace Group ‘TAKING LIBERTIES’ event +*
Saturday, 25th April 2-6pm at the Corn Exchange, Faringdon. Admission free. All welcome. Refreshments. An afternoon of speeches and debate on the theme of the erosion of our civil liberties. Speakers: Tony Benn, Henry Porter, Scilla Elworthy, Derek Wall and Ed Vaizey MP. Chair: Malcolm Harper. More information from Jennie Chesterton 01367-710308, or Karen Vogt 01367-241707 or email karen@vogt.org.uk
See the website for more: no2id-oxford.org.uk/
_*+ Sheffield +*_
*+ 25th March – Sheffield NO2ID 1st Meeting +*
Wednesday, 25th March 7.30pm at The Harlequin Pub, 108 Nursery St, Sheffield, S3 8GG (maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=s3+8gg). On the agenda will be future meetings, city centre stalls, and any other activities. Please sign up to the mailing list for further details, if you haven’t already: lists.no2id.net/mailman/listinfo/no2id.sheffield
_*+ Shrewsbury +*_
*+ 20th April – Shrewsbury NO2ID “dining club” (3rd Monday of the month) +*
Monday, 20th April – our regular “dining club” is meeting at about 7.15pm somewhere in the town centre. Do join us for a meal, or just come along for a drink. We need to book the table a few days in advance, so contact Rob Findlay on shrewsbury@no2id.net (or 07973 848910) if you’d like to come along.
_*+ Worcester +*_
*+ 8th April – Worcester NO2ID Meeting (2nd Wednesday of month) +*
Wednesday, 8th April 8pm at The Portobello Inn, St Johns, Worcester (map available from our website @ www.no2id-worcester.org.uk/meetings). Look out for the NO2ID Logo to spot us if you have not been before. Its an open door policy. Anyone can come along regardless of your stance, experience or awareness on the issues regarding or related to the National Identity Scheme. Why not bring a friend and join us for some drinks!
Stay tuned for the details of the meeting’s outcome on our website blog @ www.no2id-worcester.org.uk/blog
+ “ID” in the news +
*+ Brits consider tracking all UK Facebook traffic – ZDNet 18/3/09 +*
The UK government is considering the mass surveillance and retention of all user communications on social-networking sites including Facebook, MySpace, and Bebo. news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-279587.html
*+ Government flags ID cost increase – Kable 18/3/09 +*
The identity minister has indicated that passports will account for a smaller proportion of the national identity scheme’s overall cost than previously stated
www.kablenet.com/kd.nsf/Frontpage/EC40C60FA59
ED7388025757800597DD6?OpenDocument
*+ OGC may publish ‘secret’ ID card reviews – Computer Weekly 18/3/09 +*
The Office of Government Commerce is seriously considering publishing two early Gateway reviews on ID cards – after four years of trying to stop their publication under the Freedom of Information Act.
www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2009/03/18/235305/
ogc-may-publish-secret-id-card-reviews.htm
*+ Health coaches get access to patient records – eHealth Insider 16/3/09 +*
A primary care trust is planning to set up a health coaching service giving Bupa health coaches access to patient information unless residents opt-out within a short timeframe. www.e-health-insider.com/news/4655/health_coaches_get_access_to_patient_records
*+ Data sharing u-turn is response to public outcry, says Government – Out-Law News 9/3/09 +*
The Government has shelved plans to allow Government departments to share citizens’ personal information with each other and with the private sector. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said that the u-turn was a response to criticism of the plan. www.out-law.com/page-9850
*+ ID card ‘flash and dash’ warning – BBC News Online 6/3/09 +*
The national identity card scheme could be “fatally” undermined by cheaply produced fake cards, a leading industry expert has warned. Toby Stevens, of the Enterprise Privacy Group, believes a shortage of fingerprint scanners could lead to an explosion in “flash and dash” fraud. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7925779.stm
*+ Students register delight at new face-fit check-in – Cambridge News 5/3/09 +*
High-tech facial recognition technology has swept aside the old-fashioned signing of the register at a school. Sixth-formers will now have their faces scanned as they arrive in the morning at the City of Ely Community College. It is one of the first schools in the UK to trial the new technology with its students.
www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_
home/displayarticle.asp?id=396794
*+ EU: Call for action to build an eHealth area for European citizens – epractice.eu 28/2/09 +*
At the end of the Ministerial eHealth Conference representatives of the Member States of the European Union and those of the European Commission adopted an eHealth Declaration. The Declaration calls for the building of a common European eHealth area, where interoperable communication between national systems will be possible. www.epractice.eu/en/news/285129
(Please send me any items of interest you encounter – Editor(newsletter@no2id.net) )
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