NEW PASSPORTS INVOLVE INTERVIEWS AND WILL BE COSTLY

01/05

The Home Office have made a new requirement, which will come into force in late 2006, when applying for a passport. They are looking for 70 premises in which to conduct interviews with any adults applying for the first time, and 16 year olds who now want a passport in their own name, an estimate of 600,000 people per year.

The intention is to prevent identity fraud and combat applications by fraudsters, criminals and terrorists. There will also be an enhanced checking of the information provided by applicants.

Within the next 3 years, the government are proposing the introduction of new combined passports and id cards, which will cost £85!

The new details held will be things like iris prints and fingerprints, as well as the photograph. Some people are saying that the high price could deter travellers.