When an individual is given his or her National Insurance number for the first time HMRC sends a plastic card National Insurance number card. To save money, the plastic cards are to be abolished and instead individuals will be notified of their National Insurance number by letter.
HMRC has already stopped issuing replacement cards, but will continue to provide written confirmation of the National Insurance number by letter where requested.
However, individuals who have already applied for a National Insurance number or who are approaching their 16th birthday will still be sent a plastic National Insurance number card. This will continue for the time being.
Further details on the abolition of plastic National Insurance number cars are available on the HMRC website.