UK timetable for fingerprint passport under review

25 January 2008

The integration of fingerprints into the next generation of ePassports could be delayed in the UK, according to a spokesman at the UK’s Home Office. This is despite earlier reassurances that the UK would mirror the timetable of its European counterparts, even though it is not obliged to do so, as it is not bound by Schengen ePassport regulations.

Other EU countries, most of which are part of the Schengen agreement, must start rolling out fingerprint-enabled ePassports by 28 June 2009. Germany has already started rolling out its fingerprint ePassports.

In a statement, the Identity and Passport Service said: “The Identity and Passport Service successfully introduced the first biometric passport on time and on budget in 2006, with over 8 million now issued. The next move is to include fingerprints in a second generation biometric passport, in line with international developments in passport security. The date for that switchover to happen is currently under consideration as the UK is not bound by the EU passport Schengen regulations to do this in 2009.”

The news came as the UK Government faced a wave of criticism following a leaked draft document that appeared to show the delay – by a period of two years – of the country’s national ID card scheme.

The national ID card scheme had been scheduled for a widespread distribution from 2010, but the leaked document showed a delay to 2012, with proposals for a more phased introduction from 2009 that would test the card on groups of users who would benefit most, such as young adults.

The Home Office has refused to comment directly on the ID card roll out plans, as it does not comment on leaked documents, although it did confirm its reconsideration of the fingerprint ePassports, and pointed out that it had always said there would be a phased introduction of the cards.