A roadshow to raise awareness amongst passport holders about the introduction of biometrics and how they are recorded has been launched in Manchester.
Members of the public will be able to have their irises and fingerprints recorded as part of the UK Passport Service (UKPS) awareness raising campaign around the country. They will also have the opportunity to see how the new ePassports will be read and take part in an interactive demonstration of the new UKPS standards for photographs, which come into force today. This biometric technology would also form the basis of the proposed national identity card scheme.
A number of changes are happening to passports over the next few years, the Home Office reports – including new photo standards, ePassports, Authentication by Interview, enhanced background checks and biometrics. The roadshow will inform people about the use of biometrics in passports to help ensure that the UKPS continues to achieve what it calls its high levels of service delivery and customer satisfaction while safeguarding customers’ identities.
What they say
Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said: "Biometric technology is increasingly being used to all over the world to combat fraud. The first biometric ePassport, containing a facial biometric, will be introduced here from early 2006. The Government does not want British citizens to have ‘second class’ passports and we will be moving towards fingerprint as well as facial image data in passports in the future to keep in step with our European partners. We are also looking at extending the protections these systems can bring to our everyday lives through a national identity card scheme. Over 80pc of the eligible population has a passport and it is important that the general public are aware of biometric technology and how it will change the face of their passport. This roadshow is very much a hands-on experience and people will be able to see for themselves how biometrics work and what advantages they can bring in safeguarding our identities. I look forward to seeing as many people as possible as the roadshow travels round the country."
