Press Release - Identity and Passport Service: Introduction of
ePassports
7 February 2007
The Identity and Passport Service has successfully completed its
project to introduce electronic passports, or ePassports, on time
and to the required international standards. However, longer term
risks to value for money remain because of the newness of the
technology and unknown performance of border control readers in
high-volume situations, a National Audit Office report concludes
today.
Total set-up costs, when the project closes in a few months’
time are expected to be £61 million compared to a budget of £63
million. The additional cost of producing the electronic element of
the new passports is estimated at £195 million between 2005-06 and
2010-11. To cover these costs, the fee for a standard adult
passport went up on 5 October 2006 from £51 to £66 and for a child
passport from £34 to £45.
Following a gradual transition from digital passport production,
the Identity and Passport Service achieved full production of
ePassports in September 2006 thereby ensuring the UK’s continued
participation in the US Visa Waiver Program. The UK ePassport also
meets international standards set by the International Civil
Aviation Organization and has performed well in international tests
of its interaction with a range of ePassport readers.
The Immigration and Nationality Directorate is responsible for
upgrading readers at border control to read ePassports. Although
the Immigration and Nationality Directorate is, like the Identity
and Passport Service, a part of the Home Office, the two bodies did
not formally liaise over upgrading passport readers at UK border
control. Increased security benefits are intended to flow from the
additional checks which immigration officers will be able to
perform, on ePassports from all countries, but roll-out of
ePassport readers at UK ports of entry will have been completed
only by March 2007.
UK ePassport readers currently take around eight seconds to read
an ePassport chip, and reader performance in high volume situations
is unknown. Although the UK ePassport has been subject to a range
of tests, its ability to withstand normal usage for the full
ten-year passport lifespan is unproven. Because of the newness of
the technology, the chip and antenna within ePassports are
guaranteed for only two years.
Between May 2003 and the end of November 2006, the Identity and
Passport Service spent £4.9 million on full-time consultants
working on the ePassports project. Although the use of technical
consultants contributed to the successful completion of the
project, the use of consultants risks the loss of institutional
knowledge for follow-on projects, such as second generation
ePassports and identity cards. £3 million of the £4.9 million total
consultancy spend was on non-technical consultants such as project
managers, business analysts and administrators. The NAO estimates
that at least £3.5 million could be saved over five years by using
civil servants instead of consultants in these non-technical roles
if proved possible to recruit them.
Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, said
today:
“The Identity and Passport Service used sound project
management techniques and made effective use of technical
specialists to ensure the ePassports project was delivered on time
and UK ePassports meet international standards.
“However, the full security benefits of ePassports will
not be realised until UK border control readers are fully upgraded,
and it is only then that we will know the impact of this new
technology on travellers. To ensure future projects deliver value
for money, the Identity and Passport Service should aim to improve
its engagement with other parts of government, and develop greater
in-house expertise to reduce its reliance on external
consultants.”
Notes for Editors:
- Electronic passports or ePassports contain an electronic chip
storing the passport holder’s photograph and biographical
information which can be read by an electronic reader at border
control.
- The Identity and Passport Service is an Executive Agency of the
Home Office with responsibility for issuing passports and identity
cards. It was established on 1 April 2006 and is the successor
organisation to the UK Passport Service.
- Countries wishing to remain in the US Visa Waiver Program were
required to issue ePassports by 26 October 2006. Under the program
UK passport holders can travel to the US for up to 90 days without
obtaining a visa currently priced at £63.
- The Identity and Passport Service has now issued more than 3
million UK ePassports.
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard
copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702
3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the
head of the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He
and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 08/06
All enquiries to Mark Anderson, NAO Press Office:
Tel: 020 7798 7558
Mobile: 07796 937 119