More Border Checks On UK Exit

New border checks will be enforced today requiring everybody to present their passport before they leave the country.

12:45 08 April 2015

New border checks are being introduced today at seaports, airports, and tunnels that require all travellers to present their passport before they will be allowed to exit British Isles. The scheme will be enforced amid fears of delay during peak travel times. The new rules are expected to affect cross-Channel and Channel tunnel travellers, who will now need to have their passport scanned. 

 

Until today, several travellers are allowed to leave the country without having their passport checked. 

 

The Home Office said that the new scheme will strengthen Britain’s border security. 

 

Security and immigration minister James Brokenshire said: "It is right that we have an immigration system that is fair, that tackles immigration and that clamps down on anyone who tries to cheat the system by staying here when they have no right to do so.

 

"Exit checks will provide us with vital information that confirms a person's exit from the UK.

 

"Port and travel operators are experts in their business and know their customers best, which is why we've supported them to design and trial the systems for collecting data in a way that will minimise the impact on customers."