UK considers electronic borders

The government is working on plans to electronically track every person crossing UK borders to help fight crime, terrorism and illegal immigration.

Ultimately the details of every arrival and departure will be recorded, so checks can be made on when and where a given individual arrived in and left the UK.

The eBorders programme is being led by the Home Office, but will include input from the Foreign Office's iVisa scheme, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, HM Customs & Excise, the Passport Service and the Home Office's own biometrics ID card scheme.

"In an era of mass global movement - last year 90 million people passed through the UK - eBorders is about using cutting-edge technology to look at how we can best secure UK borders and immigration controls across multiple government agencies," said a spokesman for the Home Office.

"We are looking at modernisation and integration, management of passenger information in terms of using biometrics in passports, and making sure those people who legitimately are in, or want to come to, this country can enter quickly.

"The programme will also help safeguard the UK against serious and organised crime, illegal immigration or terrorism."

Suppliers have already been contracted but as yet only for client-side consultancy.

An industry briefing in April launched discussions with potential delivery contractors, but talks are at a very early stage and a clear project specification has yet to emerge.

Dialogue with the industry is currently focusing on what would be needed to co-ordinate the multi-agency approach, link all airports, seaports and Eurostar terminals, and develop real-time passenger checking systems. No clear costs or timescales for the plan have been established.

The Foreign Office's iVisa project will be a key partner in the eBorders programme. It aims to use technology to join up visa operations across the world and link to immigration systems in the UK.

Plans include online applications and payment and the introduction of biometric visas.