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MSPs debate 'super ID database' plans MSPs debate 'super ID database' plans
(about 1 hour later)
Scottish government plans allowing more than 100 public bodies to access personal data through an individual's NHS number have been debated by MSPs.Scottish government plans allowing more than 100 public bodies to access personal data through an individual's NHS number have been debated by MSPs.
Opponents said the move amounted to identity cards by the "back door". Opponents said the move amounted to identity cards "by the back door".
The plan would see organisations such as HMRC and Scottish Canals being able to see certain data on the NHS Central Register (NHSCR). The plan would see organisations such as HMRC being able to see certain data on the NHS Central Register (NHSCR).
A consultation on the issue closed last week and the Scottish government has promised to "listen to all concerns". The Deputy First Minister insisted the move was the most secure way of identifying those eligible to pay the new Scottish rate of income tax.
Everyone born in Scotland or registered with a GP north of the border has a Unique Citizen Reference number held in the NHSCR. MSPs voted in favour of a motion by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie for the proposals to undergo full parliamentary scrutiny, by 65 to 60.
The plans would have otherwise been amended through existing legislation and could therefore have been approved by a Holyrood committee, known as a "negative instrument".
Everyone born in Scotland or registered with a GP north of the border has a Unique Citizen Reference Number (UCRN) held in the NHSCR.
The Scottish government said opening up access to NHSCR would have a number of advantages, such as helping to trace children missing from education, identifying foreign patients accessing the NHS, allowing people to access public services securely, and helping HMRC to complete the tax register.The Scottish government said opening up access to NHSCR would have a number of advantages, such as helping to trace children missing from education, identifying foreign patients accessing the NHS, allowing people to access public services securely, and helping HMRC to complete the tax register.
It added that "only a limited amount of data would be shared" and medical records would not be part of the register.It added that "only a limited amount of data would be shared" and medical records would not be part of the register.
However, opponents have warned there could be a risk of a massive data breach.However, opponents have warned there could be a risk of a massive data breach.
Critics have also questioned why the data should be shared with more than 100 public bodies, including Scottish Canals and Quality Meat Scotland.Critics have also questioned why the data should be shared with more than 100 public bodies, including Scottish Canals and Quality Meat Scotland.
The proposals would amend existing legislation and could therefore be approved by a Holyrood committee, known as a "negative instrument". 'Inbuilt protection'
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has tabled a motion calling for full parliamentary scrutiny of what has been described as a "super ID database". Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie told MSPs full parliamentary scrutiny was needed of what he called a "super ID database".
Speaking ahead of the debate, he said: "I will make no bones about reaching out to all political parties to support our motion. When it comes to fundamental issues of protecting our civil liberties and building a fairer society, there can be no party line. He told MSPs: "The proposal has the potential to cover 120 organisations across the public sector.
"The SNP joined us in 2005 to oppose the creation of ID cards. The Conservatives supported our efforts to repeal the legislation. And Scottish Labour have supported our motion against this proposal. "This matters because the current diffuse storage of information has an inbuilt protection from crime and misuse that would be lost with one super database shared across the public sector.
"If SNP ministers took their eye off the ball whilst the civil service created these proposals, now is the time to speak out against them." "We know the problem with putting all your eggs in one basket or putting all your savings in the one bank or business. We should be cautious when the government asks us to do the same now."
Mr Rennie also took issue with the UCRN.
He said: "To allow all organisations to share that number means we move from having a series of numbers to one, single, universal number.
"It leaves open the possibility that information can be searched, profiled and mined."
'Secure and accurate'
Mr Swinney said the government will consider all the submissions to its recent consultation on its proposals very carefully, and no decision has yet been taken.
He said privacy impact assessments would be a "necessary prerequisite" of any proposals put forward.
He added: "Decisions will also only be taken after there has been full parliamentary scrutiny of any proposals that we advance."
Mr Swinney said the "strictly controlled use" of the NHSCR would be the "most secure, accurate, privacy and user-friendly way" to ensure correct identification of Scottish taxpayers.
He said: "It is vital that we get implementation of the new income tax powers right.
"Following the transition period, for every 1% error - for every 1% of the Scottish taxpayer base that we cannot identify - that could cost this parliament's budget potentially £50m or more."
Scottish Conservative MSP Liz Smith said there were concerns about individual consent.Scottish Conservative MSP Liz Smith said there were concerns about individual consent.
She said: "This is about introducing ID cards by the back door. "There's no doubt the public will see this as a step too far and one which is really a move to introduce an identity card by the back door.
"The fact that consent has been removed from this plan is particularly worrying. "To have powerful opposition from the British Medical Association, the Information Commissioner and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations makes very clear the unease among experts in the field and this must surely make the Scottish government think again."
"And it cannot be right that, under the current plans, it has not been scrutinised properly by parliament." She added: "The NHS database has existed for 60 years and is currently accessible only by the NHS and local authorities.
Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie also expressed worries saying that "data security, privacy and civil liberties are at serious risk". "But the new proposals would mean that more than 100 public bodies would be able to access that data."
He added: "I would urge John Swinney to listen to the serious arguments against this proposal, and change direction. Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson said he was concerned by a lack of patient consent and said the current NHS system was "not fit for purpose".
"There are better ways of achieving his policy objectives without going down a route abandoned by the UK government years ago." He cited 794 breaches in NHS Lothian over a two-year period relating to inappropriate access of data.
"Privacy protected" He said: "We have a situation whereby using your unique identifier, people can maliciously get access to NHS data.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said personal privacy would be protected and restated the Scottish government's opposition to ID cards. "Linking one identifier with another is extremely dangerous and needs a full debate."
He said: "We are not and we will not create a new database.
"We will not be sharing health records.
"We will listen carefully to all consultation responses.
"And we will act in a manner that is consistent with our long-standing principles in protecting personal data."
He added: "Decisions will only be taken after full scrutiny by parliament of any eventual proposals. That is the principle upon which our government is run and will remain so."