Steve, depends where you are from, they all have different names and different styles. The "Burka" as it is commonly referred to is amore that style worn in the more extreme Islamic states such as Afghanistan, and in parts of Saudi Arabia and Iran, it is totally covering with a sort of "grille" to see through. The "niqab" as a sort of veil worn over the "hijab" which is a scarf covering the hair such as you see in a lot of more extreme Middle East states, where as the Hijab scarf is more common amongst the more relaxed areas. In Iran and parts of India and Pakistan the word "chador" can be used for both the long black garment and the veil as well.
They are all nonsense and nothing to do with Islam as such, it suggests women should dress modestly is all, and, if you look at biblical pictures guess what? The women often have their head covered -- but not of course their faces!
Should follow the lead of France, no face covering of any kind allowed -- no discussion!
Re-introduce the crime of High Treason and the death penalty for British Born Terrorists.