Menu
17/11/2005
'Security' issues force hike in passport price
The price of passports is set to rise, in order to help boost security and fight fraud, the Home Office has announced.
The new fees will see the cost of a standard 10-year adult passport increase by £9 to £51 from December 1.
The Home Office said that the increase reflected the cost of implementing key anti-fraud measures to combat the “rapidly growing threat” of passport fraud and forgery.
The measures will include enhanced background checks on applicants and face-to-face interviews with first-time adult applicants from October next year.
They will also include the gradual introduction of new biometric ‘ePassports’ from February 2006, which will contain a scan of the passport holder’s unique facial features embedded in a chip held in the passport document.
Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said: “Countries all around the world are moving to strengthen the security of identity documents in the face of the growing threat of fraud and forgery. We cannot afford to stand idle. These improvements to passport security do carry a cost – but it is a price worth paying in order to protect passport holders from fraud and afford them continued convenient international travel.
“We are determined to ensure the British passport remains one of the most secure in the world and we are one of over 40 countries preparing to issue new biometric ‘ePassports’”.
Passport fees last increased in 2003, in order to fund the reduction of passport losses during delivery, a new database of lost and stolen passports and a trial of new background checks on information supplied by applicants.
(KMcA/SP)
The new fees will see the cost of a standard 10-year adult passport increase by £9 to £51 from December 1.
The Home Office said that the increase reflected the cost of implementing key anti-fraud measures to combat the “rapidly growing threat” of passport fraud and forgery.
The measures will include enhanced background checks on applicants and face-to-face interviews with first-time adult applicants from October next year.
They will also include the gradual introduction of new biometric ‘ePassports’ from February 2006, which will contain a scan of the passport holder’s unique facial features embedded in a chip held in the passport document.
Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said: “Countries all around the world are moving to strengthen the security of identity documents in the face of the growing threat of fraud and forgery. We cannot afford to stand idle. These improvements to passport security do carry a cost – but it is a price worth paying in order to protect passport holders from fraud and afford them continued convenient international travel.
“We are determined to ensure the British passport remains one of the most secure in the world and we are one of over 40 countries preparing to issue new biometric ‘ePassports’”.
Passport fees last increased in 2003, in order to fund the reduction of passport losses during delivery, a new database of lost and stolen passports and a trial of new background checks on information supplied by applicants.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 October 2010
New Passport Design Hits Streets
The first new look UK passport has been issued today to five-year-old Elliot Coutts Miller. Elliot, who attends Shortwood Infant School, Staines in Surrey, received his passport at the London passport office based in Globe House in Victoria.
New Passport Design Hits Streets
The first new look UK passport has been issued today to five-year-old Elliot Coutts Miller. Elliot, who attends Shortwood Infant School, Staines in Surrey, received his passport at the London passport office based in Globe House in Victoria.
06 September 2005
Passport photo standards to come into effect
UK travellers are being reminded that all passport photos will have to comply with new international requirements from next week. The new guidelines, agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, have been introduced to help combat fraud.
Passport photo standards to come into effect
UK travellers are being reminded that all passport photos will have to comply with new international requirements from next week. The new guidelines, agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, have been introduced to help combat fraud.
12 June 2009
Contract Awarded For Next Generation Of Passports
The next generation of British passports will be delivered under a new £400 million contract announced yesterday. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has announced De La Rue has won the contract to produce the new British passport book.
Contract Awarded For Next Generation Of Passports
The next generation of British passports will be delivered under a new £400 million contract announced yesterday. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has announced De La Rue has won the contract to produce the new British passport book.
18 February 2009
Smaller Communities To Receive Anti-Fraud Passport Measures
A high-tech weapon in the fight against passport fraud has arrived at the UK's smaller and island communities. The secure video link allowing first-time passport applicants to be interviewed by trained staff hundreds of miles away is rolling out to smaller communities and islands in Scotland, England and Wales.
Smaller Communities To Receive Anti-Fraud Passport Measures
A high-tech weapon in the fight against passport fraud has arrived at the UK's smaller and island communities. The secure video link allowing first-time passport applicants to be interviewed by trained staff hundreds of miles away is rolling out to smaller communities and islands in Scotland, England and Wales.
20 March 2007
Home Office reveals passport fraud
Around 10,000 passports were issued to bogus applicants last year, including two convicted terrorists, the Home Office has revealed.
Home Office reveals passport fraud
Around 10,000 passports were issued to bogus applicants last year, including two convicted terrorists, the Home Office has revealed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Continuing cloudy through the evening with further outbreaks of rain, the rain turning lighter and patchier from the south as the night progresses. Winds remain light. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
