The Conservatives have announced plans to tighten border security after Brexit, including new automated entry and exit checks.
Under the plans, announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel, biometric passports will be required. European ID cards would no longer be accepted as proof of identity at the UK border.
The party has also promised to introduce an ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)’ scheme, which travellers must obtain before arriving at the UK border. This will be similar to the American ESTA system. The Tories say the ETA would allow for pre-screening of arrivals against watchlists. Those deemed a threat to the UK would be blocked entry.
The Home Secretary said:
“When people voted to leave in 2016, they were voting to take back control of our borders.
“After Brexit we will introduce an Australian-style points based immigration system and take steps to strengthen our border and improve the security of the UK.”
Labour responded to the plans, blasting them as “groundless”. The party has criticised the loss of access to EU criminal and biometric databases, and participation in the European Arrest Warrant, under the government’s Brexit deal.
