Anyone looking to get the government’s new identity card could be directed to pharmacies and post offices for enrollment on to the scheme, it has been suggested.
The locations will be used for gathering and storing fingerprints and face scans, to be used with an ID card or biometric passport.
It will cost UK residents £30 to get hold of a card, and possibly another £30 in charges from the shops that collect the data, to be stored on a government database.
The £5bn scheme is to be launched in Greater Manchester, with thousands of cards expected to be printed from this autumn.
Pharmacy trade groups and post office managers will be meeting with Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to go over the plans.
“The companies interested in working with us to deliver the service will play a key role in ensuring the public can apply for an ID card or passport simply and easily,” she said.
“While private companies will clearly benefit from the increased footfall from offering this service, their customers will benefit from being able to quickly provide their biometrics while they are out doing the shopping.”
Ms Smith added: “With an identity card, people will be able to prove their identity quickly and conveniently while helping to protect themselves against identity fraud.”
Copyright © Press Association 2009
“Why not GP surgeries?” – Kamaljot Kaur, Eccles
