Posts tagged freedom

BT and VAT invoices

May 11th

IT | 1 views

2 comments

BT bills for standard home telephone lines do not usually have sufficient information on them to be used as VAT invoices. Their website states that VAT invoices can be requested by calling 0800800150 (a VAT invoice has to be issued if requested in accordance with VAT regulations). I did this some time back and received a VAT invoice – just the one. I called again in March this year and requested that in future I require a VAT invoice with each bill.

My bill for this quarter has just arrived – with no VAT invoice.

For more than half an hour I tried to negotiate BT’s dreadful phone menu system but was unable to find an appropriate option or even find an option that would allow me to talk to a human operator.

I have now put my request in a letter. I wonder if anyone will read

UK ID Cards and a few crazy ideas

Mar 18th

IT | 0 views

No comments

I’ve just come across an article in The Guardian stating that Home Office Minister Meg Hillier has suggested that bus passes for over-60s could be scrapped and that millions of elderly people could be asked to carry a UK ID card to prove their age when they travel.

The Register reports that she has also suggested banks could give a free ID card to customers opening new accounts, particularly those who have no current way to prove their ID.

These stories both seem to relate to an article in Progress Online, the New Labour think tank magazine and subsequent comments to the media. Personally I think the comments beneath that article make more sense.

See also http://www.bigbrotherwatch.org.uk and liberalconspiracy.org

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NHS Summary Care Records

Mar 18th

IT | 0 views

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I have recently received a letter from my Primary Care Trust explaining the benefits of this wonderful new database.

Although seems a good idea in principle, my main concern is with the long term security of data. Data that is personal and specifically about me. This government has an appalling record when comes to the handling and storing of personal data. Lax procedure and carelessness, at the very least, have resulted in government departments losing the personal details of many millions of people over the last few years.

What could happen in the future? is possible that a different government may decide cares less about personal than the money could make by selling information about me, perhaps to an insurance company who could then base the cost of policy premiums on my medical history, especially worrying, as once on the database, my data can only be hidden and not removed.

I could list many other concerns I have but I think they are all summed up very well on this page http://www.neilb.demon.co.uk

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