The first was the announcement by Treasury Minister David Gauke that it is 'morally wrong' to pay tradesmen such as plumbers, builders and cleaners in cash in the hope of avoiding tax. We assume that this means that we can pay them cash as long as we, and they, are not hoping to avoid tax. It is clearly the intent that matters.
But hang on, does this not come at the same time as the banks are talking of 'phasing out' cheques? If they succeed then the only way we can pay our window cleaner or occasional lawn-mower will be to ask for their bank account details and make suitable transfers. (Oh yes, we must make it easier/cheaper for the banks to do their work, poor loves.) I think it will be easier to carry on paying them cash and adjust our intent not to avoid tax.
The second were requests for identification under the money laundering regulations and for a CRB check. Both asked for a tickertape of pieces of paper proving we were who we are but the paperchain breaks down under any sort of detailed analysis and results in sheer irritation for the 'normal' citizen'. Much of it would be relatively easy to circumvent for the evil-hearted. (Can someone explain why one has to provide the counterpart element of the Driving Licence as well as the photocard? The proof of identity elements - name, date of birth etc - are all carried on the face of the photo card. No, don't tell us, we prefer to live in blissful, confused, ignorance).
