Young people in London enrol for National Identity Cards

Young people aged 16 to 24 in London will be able to enrol for a National Identity Card from today.

The first young person enrolled their biometric fingerprints and biographical information for an identity card this morning at the Identity and Passport Service offices in London and will be issued with their card within ten days.

The enrolment process went live for young people in London following the successful uptake of cards in Greater Manchester and the North West of England.

The £30 card provides a secure and convenient way for people to prove their identity whether they are travelling - the cards can also be used in place of a passport for travel throughout 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.

Home Office Minister responsible for Identity Cards Meg Hillier said:
"From today, young people in London can enjoy the many benefits of the National Identity Card. This secure, credit card sized form of ID can be used to open a bank account, enter a nightclub or travel to Europe.

"These benefits are already being enjoyed by members of the public in Greater Manchester and the North West of England. Public enthusiasm for the cards is evident by the fact that we are issuing hundreds of application packs each day to members of the public keen to get a card."

Peter Fawcett, 21, from Redbridge in East London became the first young person to enrol for a National Identity Card this morning.

He said:
"I was keen from the outset to get a National Identity Card.

"I will be travelling to Holland next month and the convenience of taking the credit card sized ID card with me in my wallet for use as a travel document far outweighs taking my passport with me.

"My passport is also getting really battered by me carrying it around as proof of age. With a National Identity Card, I can leave my passport at home and carry my ID card in my wallet instead. If I lose it I only have to pay £30 instead of £77.50 to have it replaced."

Individuals can get more information or make an appointment for an identity card by calling 0300 330 0000.

Further information on the National Identity Service can be found at http://www.direct.gov.uk/idsmart, and for businesses at www.businesslink.gov.uk/idsmart.

Notes to editors

1. From today, anyone aged 16 to 24 who lives in London, and holds a current or recently expired British passport, can apply for a National Identity Card. 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 18,000 people have already registered an interest in getting an identity card in this way.
2. Individuals can get more information or make an appointment for an identity card by calling 0300 330 0000.
3. Further information on the National Identity Service for individuals, can be found at http://www.direct.gov.uk/idsmart, and for businesses at www.businesslink.gov.uk/idsmart.
4. The Early Interest Website was launched on the 6 May 2009 by the Home Secretary, and allows people to register their interest in identity cards and the National Identity Service. It provides information to people who register about the development and introduction of identity cards.  It also offers the opportunity for people to sign up for regular e-mail updates about the development of the service.
5. More than 18,000 people have already registered their interest online at Directgov.

6. For more information call the Home Office press office on 020 7035 3851 or 020 7035 3839.

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