The National Identity Card will be available to residents across North West England including those who live and work in Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria from January next year.

The news follows the successful launch of the service to those living and working in Greater Manchester.

The £30 identity cards provide a secure and convenient way for people to prove their identity when they are undertaking individual transactions or buying age-restricted goods. The cards can also be used in place of a passport for travel throughout Europe.

Home Office Minister responsible for identity cards, Meg Hillier said:

“We have always said that after the initial roll out to residents of Greater Manchester, we would seek to expand the scheme across the North West as soon as possible.

“Today’s exciting announcement is the next stage in offering voluntary identity cards to everyone living in the UK.

“Identity cards are already proving themselves extremely useful in daily life, from opening a bank account to entering a nightclub, and for travel to Europe.”

Source: Home Office

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