Manchester citizens get first chance to apply for ID cards

Residents of Greater Manchester will be the first British citizens able to apply for a voluntary ID card from late 2009, it was announced today by Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith. The selection of this first location for residents builds on a commitment made by the Home Secretary last November to make a number of ID cards available from this autumn.

This is the next step in the delivery of the National Identity Service and will ensure that card take-up and technological capabilities build up side by side. It will give the public, retailers and service providers a chance to become familiar with the cards as supporting hardware such as chip and pin readers are introduced.

Manchester is already leading the way in the roll-out of identity cards. The city's airport is working with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) as one of the first wave of airports who are introducing identity cards to airside workers from this autumn.

Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, said:

"Manchester is leading the way with the delivery of the National Identity Service. From this autumn the citizens of Manchester will get the first chance to apply for ID cards, giving them a chance to start realising the benefits of identity cards as soon as possible.

"Our next steps will be for other cities to follow Manchester's lead before full national coverage from 2012. This phased approach will ensure that card coverage occurs hand-in-hand with development of supporting technology such as chip and pin readers.

"ID cards will deliver real benefits to everyone, including increased protection against criminals, illegal immigrants and terrorists."

This week IPS chief executive James Hall visited the city to launch a new online facility for those who are interested in applying for a card. Those who sign up via the Directgov website will be informed when cards become available in their area and get the latest information about the new service from IPS.

Lord Peter Smith, chair of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, said:

"We are very pleased to support the Identity and Passport Service as the National Identity Service is rolled out starting here in Greater Manchester.

"We believe that citizens of Greater Manchester will welcome the chance to get an identity card early if they want one to help them prove their identity conveniently and securely."

Identity cards are already a reality for foreign nationals with work underway to issue more than 75,000 by November this year, helping show clearly that they have the right to work and live in the UK.

From 2010 young people can apply for the card and from 2012 the National Identity Service will begin to roll-out for the general population with identity cards available in significant numbers.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith made a commitment to make a small number of cards available to the general population in a speech to businesses hosted by the Social Market Foundation in November 2008. In January, the Home Secretary visited Manchester to update civic leaders on progress of the National Identity Service and revealed that the city was a strong candidate as a early launch location. Copies of the speeches are available from here.
2. All British citizens in the 10 Manchester Metropolitan boroughs who are over the age of 16 and existing holders of a valid UK or child passport will be able to apply for an identity card from the autumn of 2009.
3. There will be a marketing campaign to raise awareness amongst the public and business communities in the Manchester Metropolitan area, with a national campaign targeting specific business segments
4. The National Identity Service will deliver recognisable benefits to residents, businesses and local authorities including:
   • a universal and simple proof of identity that brings convenience for organisations and individuals -ending the disorganised use of photocopied bank statements, phone bills and birth certificates;
   • control over who can see your personal details - this means no longer revealing details about your finances or personal life just to prove who you are and where you live;
   • ensuring that foreign nationals living, working and studying here legally are able to easily prove their identity and preventing those here illegally from benefiting from the privileges of Britain; and
   • convenient travel in Europe using the identity card.
5. Delivery schedule:
   • from 25th November 2008 we began issuing compulsory identity cards to foreign nationals who come here to work or study;
   • on 7th April we awarded contracts for application and enrolment and biometrics storage systems. Later this year we expect to award contracts for the design and production of identity cards and passports;
   • from Autumn 2009 the roll out of identity cards to airside workers will be undertaken on a phased basis starting in Manchester and London City airports. We have agreed with these airports that the initial requirement to obtain an identity card will be placed on new airside workers, including those not currently in possession of a valid airside pass for those airports;
   • from Autumn 2009 we will offer a small number of volunteers in Manchester the chance to enrol for the first identity cards;
   • from 2010, we will offer identity cards to young people on a voluntary basis, rolling out to other citizens who will also benefit from them in their daily lives; and
   • from 2011/12 identity cards will roll out to the wider population on an entirely voluntary basis.
6. To find out more about the National Identity Service and to register for updates about when it goes live in your area, log on to www.direct.gov.uk/identity
7. For more information contact the Home Office press office on 020 7035 3535.

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