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. 



The new passport, which was unveiled in August, contains a number of enhanced security features to keep fraudsters at bay ensuring that the British passport remains a highly trusted document.



From December 2010 the majority of applicants applying for a passport should receive the new design, which will be phased in gradually from this month, with all applicants receiving the new version from October next year. 



Immigration Minister Damian Green said:

 "I am delighted Elliot is the first person to receive this new passport which has been redesigned to ensure it remains as secure a document as ever.



"The passport contains strengthened security measures, which includes designs of iconic images from across the nation, making the passport difficult to forge and helping ensure the British passport remains a highly trusted passport meeting rigorous international standards."

Elliot, from Stanwell Moor near Heathrow, received his passport in preparation for a family holiday and was given permission from his headmistress to take time off to receive his passport in person.

Elliot Coutts Miller, commented: 

"I am very excited with my new passport. I like the pictures especially the butterfly."

The new passport's pages contain images of well-known UK scenes, including the White Cliffs of Dover, the Gower Peninsula, Ben Nevis and the Giant's Causeway.



The new design, which will continue to contain a chip holding the owners details, will replace the current UK ePassport introduced in 2006 to comply with the US Visa Waiver Programme.

(BMcN)