ID card by stealth

The London borough of Hillingdon has begun issuing "HillingdonFirst" smart cards to residents to "offer access to services and privileges not available to non-residents".

The council began sending cards out to residents over 18 on 15th June. Hillingdon council states on its website:

"We will only store and print your name and card number. No address or financial information will be stored or printed on the card".

In other words the card is a key to a backend database that collates the other information that is stored. The card is being touted as a "Privilege Card" with businesses running loyalty discount schemes for card holders. Issuing residents with a unique card number will allow the council and participating businesses to share data indexed according to the card number.
Source: NO2ID newsletter