I’m sorry, I beg your pardon?

It has also emerged that the Government only began recording the nationality of those issued an NI number on March 26 this year.

You mean we’ve been merrily issuing NI numbers, the possession of which is used as a proxy for the right to work in the UK, without recording the nationality of those to whom they are issued? Since, well, since 1911 or whatever?

Stunning.