Maria Eagle denied that the cards could be used as a way of controlling young people, but said the Government is interested in the idea of rewards.
"The pilots are about seeing which of these rewards work and whether or not young people find them interesting," she said. "We will be trying a few of these things out."
Eagle also said the Government is looking at the cards as a way of helping disadvantaged young people, by putting credits on their cards "in a way that is not usually visible to the young person".
The London Borough of Brent is pushing to become one of the pilot local authorities; Liverpool has also applied. Dawn Butler, MP for Brent South, met Eagle, along with a group of young people, as part of a consultation response to Youth Matters. Butler said: "It is important that the borough can become a pilot for any initiatives: if it works here, it will work anywhere."
Elizabeth Rand-Greaves, head of Brent Youth Service, said: "The Connexions Card has not been successful here, but young people like the idea of shop discounts."
Local authorities have until 11 November to register their interest in piloting the cards.
Groups that work with disadvantaged young people have said the cards are unlikely to help the worst-off young people in society. In its response to the green paper consultation, which ended last week, the National Association for Youth Justice said young people in poverty were unlikely to be able to afford access to services, even with the discounts.
The association also called for the cards to be introduced as a universal service that cannot be taken away. It said denying those young people who misbehave access to services could stop them getting the assistance they need.
www.everychildmatters.gov.uk.
