Jersey to get population database

Everyone in Jersey will be required to obtain a registration card to prove their residential status and will be added to a government population database under new immigration control plans. The schemes will be introduced as part of the laws on the control of housing and work, and the register of names and addresses. The housing and work law will affect people that want to change jobs or move house. A spokesman for the Jersey government told GGC that information on names and addresses will be held on a database and that the data will be shared between government organisations for "statutory purposes only". "So for instance we'd be able to use it for social security purposes," he said, adding that they wouldn't be able to use the information to "send out bulk emails". A registration card will also be introduced as the government wants each individual living on the island to be able to prove their residential status when accessing work or purchasing or leasing housing. He explained that the aim of the housing and work law is to protect locals. "It's really to help those that were born in Jersey or those who have lived here for a long time with employment and housing." Under the plans, the Jersey government will separate people into categories of qualified and unqualified people. Those that fall into the unqualified/registered category will only be able to access certain housing and employment. This article is published by Guardian Professional. For weekly updates of news, debate and best practice on public sector IT, join the Government Computing Network here.