THE procurement for the government’s £400m IT plan to tighten UK border security formally started this week.

The eBorders scheme will link relevant government agencies, as well as travel industry systems and transport hubs such as ports and airports.

Initially, the system will log every person entering and leaving the UK. Ultimately, travellers’ details will be checked against government systems, with permission to enter the UK granted or denied before they leave foreign soil.

Last year the Home Office finalised a multimillion-pound deal with IBM to develop the Semaphore pilot system, logging passengers on 10 international routes. Now suppliers are being invited to bid for the main, 15-year eBorders deal.

The system is expected to be up and running by 2010.