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The home secretary has announced that identity cards will not become compulsory for British citizens.
Speaking at a press conference in London, Alan Johnson explained that pilot schemes at Manchester Airport and London City Airport will now be voluntary.
But he maintained that foreign workers would still be required to carry an ID card.
Johnson explained: "Holding an identity card should be a personal choice for British citizens - just as it is now to obtain a passport.
"Accordingly I want the introduction of identity cards for all British citizens to be voluntary and I have therefore decided that identity cards issued to airside workers, planned initially at Manchester and London City airports later this year, should also be voluntary."
Questioned further on whether the cards would ever be made obligatory, the home secretary replied: "No."
He said that if the scheme was to become compulsory it would require legislation by Parliament.
But the home secretary also confirmed that he wanted the roll-out of ID cards to be "accelerated".
The voluntary scheme is to be introduced across the North West from early next year, the home secretary stated.
Under the pilot, some airport staff would have been required to carry their ID cards in an effort to increase security, prevent people trafficking and tackle identity fraud.
In a written ministerial statement, Johnson said: "There will be significant benefits to individuals from holding an identity card which will become the most convenient, secure and affordable way of asserting identity in everyday life.
"Identity cards will also be valid for travel throughout Europe in place of a British passport. I have reviewed the plans for introducing identity cards to the wider public and have decided to accelerate the roll out of cards by extending the initial coverage from Greater Manchester to other locations in the North West early next year.
"Anyone resident first in Greater Manchester and then in the wider areas to be specified will be entitled to apply for an identity card."
He continued: "However, holding an identity card should be a personal choice for British citizens – just as it is now to obtain a passport. Accordingly I want the introduction of identity cards for all British citizens to be voluntary and I have therefore decided that identity cards issued to airside workers, planned initially at Manchester and London City airports later this year, should also be voluntary.
"I continue to believe that identity cards will help deliver enhanced security in the airside pass-issuing process at airports by making it easier and more certain to verify an individual’s identity.
"In consultation with the airport operators, we will be encouraging anyone applying for an airside pass to obtain an identity card."
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