The new e-passports, which aim to tackle forgery and fraud, come with a raft of new security features, including a chip with the holder’s facial biometric data. The UK Passport Service (UKPS) said that they will be introduced gradually throughout 2006 and to all applicants by the end of August.
Home Office minister Andy Burnham elaborated on the scheme, saying, Biometric technology makes use of the unique features we all have and there is no doubt that the use of biometric information to link a person to a passport will enhance security. In step with our European partners we will also be considering the inclusion of fingerprints as well as facial data in due course.
