UP to 500 jobs could be created if a city
becomes the base for the Government's
controversial ID cards scheme.
The Identity and Passport Service
(IPS) is considering establishing its headquarters
for the project in offices in
County Hall, Durham City.
Discussions between the service and
Durham County Council have been ongoing
for at least two years and have
reached an advanced stage, a senior
source said.
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If a deal is struck, staff from IPS offices
in Millburngate House, Durham, could
also move to County Hall.
The new jobs would probably involve
administration and production of the ID
cards.
An IPS spokesman said the council site
was among those being considered as a
base. The service's lease on the Millburngate
House offices expires in 2014.
John Richardson, the acting chief executive
of the council, said: "Durham is
an excellent place to invest and the quality
of life is fantastic, so we are not surprised
there is interest from Government
agencies.
"We know we are only one of several
sites that IPS are looking at, but we will
continue to hold discussions and if any
potential relocation is in the interests of
the residents of Durham, we will pursue
that option with vigour."
The North-East is understood to be the
Government's preferred location, and
Durham is in a strong position because
a site has already been identified. A decision
is expected by September.
Councillor Nigel Martin, whose
Nevilles Cross division includes County
Hall, welcomed the prospect of jobs
being created, but said he was concerned
congestion in the area would worsen.
The ID cards scheme has been hugely
controversial. From 2011, anyone 16 or
over applying for a passport will have
their details recorded and be given the
option of having one of the cards, which
would carry their name, address, gender,
date and place of birth, immigration status,
fingerprints, iris patterns and facial
image.
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