ID cards for London’s young people

A National Identity Card scheme for young people is to rolled out in London.

People aged from 16 to 24, living in the capital will be able to apply for a card from 8 February.

The card costs £30 and can be used in place of a passport for travel in Europe or when purchasing age restricted items.

The Identity and Passport Service found that more than half of lost or stolen passports belonged to people under the age of thirty, with loss occurring mainly on nights out.

The new card is designed to fit inside a wallet cutting down on the number of passports going amiss.

Home Office Minister Meg Hillier is responsible for identity cards.

She said:”The National Identity Card will prove an extremely useful tool for young people in London, whether they are opening a bank account, buying age-restricted goods such as computer games or DVDs, entering a nightclub or travelling to Europe.”

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