Letter: Dangerous database

I WAS appalled to read your report (2 April) about a proposed government database holding all educational and other achievements for every citizen in the UK. It terrifies me that a scheme like this might succeed.

There is an element of window-dressing and deception that goes into a CV, which we all use to our advantage. How many of us have omitted from our CVs a failed GCSE, or a year spent retaking a failed exam, or worse?

A database would record your every success and every failure. It would enable employers to write off job applicants automatically who have experienced some minor check such as an exam failure.

I can see marginal benefits for big business in the use of such a database, but I am worried about those who are then so easily excluded from the chance to present their best features and make a success for themselves in employment.

PAUL SERJEANT

Maidenhead,

Berkshire