sQuid, an electronic money operator, and UK's North Lanarkshire Council, have launched an electronic purse, to enable the residents of North Lanarkshire use smart money to buy small value items using their National Entitlement Card (NEC).

Residents with an NEC card can have sQuid electronic money added to their card to allow them to pay for small value items, as well as accessing public services, like concessionary travel and library membership.

The sQuid payment service allows users to pay for things electronically at participating outlets from a pre-loaded purse on their card, without the need to carry loose change. The transactions can be managed from an online sQuid account.

Jim Smith, council depute leader at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “sQuid will be very useful for many people, including older people who can use their concessionary travel card to get to their town center and don’t have to carry cash to buy small items of shopping. For young people, they will be able to use it to buy a snack, or their lunch.

“This is just the start. We expect sQuid to roll out and become part of everyday life in North Lanarkshire as more retailers start to accept it. sQuid is free to get and free to use. We’re encouraging North Lanarkshire residents to sign up now and have your electronic purse ready.”