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.
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.
14 October 2005
Trainee pilot jailed on passport charges
A trainee British pilot was jailed for one year today on bogus passport charges. Zayead Christopher Hajaig, 36, from Ilford, Essex, was arrested when he returned from the US where he had sparked a terror alert by attempting to upgrade his pilot's licence while training in Atlanta where the 9/11 suicide bombers had trained as pilots.
Trainee pilot jailed on passport charges
A trainee British pilot was jailed for one year today on bogus passport charges. Zayead Christopher Hajaig, 36, from Ilford, Essex, was arrested when he returned from the US where he had sparked a terror alert by attempting to upgrade his pilot's licence while training in Atlanta where the 9/11 suicide bombers had trained as pilots.
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.
17 June 2003
Passport to get security makeover
Tamper-proof stickers are set to replace the old-style ink stamps on passports under changes outlined by the Home Office today. The move has come about to counter passport forgery and the new sticker will show that an individual has been given permission to stay in the UK beyond their initial period – in a more secure way.
Passport to get security makeover
Tamper-proof stickers are set to replace the old-style ink stamps on passports under changes outlined by the Home Office today. The move has come about to counter passport forgery and the new sticker will show that an individual has been given permission to stay in the UK beyond their initial period – in a more secure way.
30 July 2008
Lords Rule Fraud Office 'Acted Lawfully' On BAE Deal
The House of Lords has ruled that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) acted lawfully when it halted a corruption enquiry into arms deals with Saudi Arabia. The decision overturns an earlier verdict when the court criticised the British and Saudi governments in April saying that the SFO acted unlawfully.
Lords Rule Fraud Office 'Acted Lawfully' On BAE Deal
The House of Lords has ruled that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) acted lawfully when it halted a corruption enquiry into arms deals with Saudi Arabia. The decision overturns an earlier verdict when the court criticised the British and Saudi governments in April saying that the SFO acted unlawfully.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
