ID cards to be rolled out in London next week (From Elmbridge Guardian)

ID cards to be rolled out in London next week

1:50pm Monday 1st February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)

Young people who live in London will be able to apply for a National Identity Card from February 8.

The scheme in the Capital follows a similar rollout to 16-24 year-olds in Manchester and the North West of England which has proved highly successful.

The £30 card provides a secure and convenient way for people to prove their identity whether they are travelling in Europe or buying age-restricted goods.

Young people across the capital buying alcohol, computer games and DVDs, going to the cinema or to a club, know how important it is to have a recognised proof of identity which is easy to carry.

Research by the Identity and Passport Service shows that over half of lost and stolen passports belong to people under 30, and a tenth of those are lost by people using them as ID on a night out.

Meg Hillier, of the Home Office, said: “The National Identity Card will prove an extremely useful tool for young people in London. With tough new legislation being put in place clamping down on underage drinking, it will be more important than ever for young people to have access to a universally accepted proof of age.”

Also from next month until 30 June, people across the UK who have registered an interest through the Directgov website will be able to apply for a card.

More than 16,000 people have already registered an interest in getting an identity card in this way.

Further information on the National Identity Service can be found at direct.gov.uk/idsmart or call 0300 330 0000.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(4)