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04 October 2010
Plastic to be replaced by paper
HMRC are to stop issuing plastic cards bearing National Insurance (NI) numbers. They will be replaced with letters from the department, sent automatically to people as they turn 16, in an effort to help reduce the budget deficit.
Ministers hope that the axing of the blue-and-red cards from late next year will contribute to a saving of at least £1 million per annum.
The change comes in response to a suggestion made through the Spending Challenge website, which sought money-saving ideas from members of the public, that ‘HMRC...save money by not issuing a plastic card but by sending a letter instead’.
Taxpayers wishing to be reminded of their NI number will received the information on paper forthwith.
