Biometric border checks come into force

New powers for UK immigration authorities to carry out biometric checks at borders have come into force.

The Home Office said the new powers provided through the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act will improve security and are needed to support the rollout of finger-printing for visa applicants by 2008.

Immigration officers can now carry out 'biometric checks' on any passenger who holds a biometric travel document to confirm that they are the rightful owner. Passengers are required to provide biometric information of the same type as contained in their travel documents.

Home Office minister Tony McNulty said the power to check biometric information contained in travel documents will ensure the UK keeps pace with the progress being made worldwide on the incorporation of biometric technology as a security feature in travel documents.

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He said in a statement: "This is about verifying identity, making documents secure and ensuring the security of the UK's borders."

Many countries are now rolling out biometric passports. The UK has issued more than one million biometric passports since they were launched in March. But high-tech security has pushed up costs - the price of a standard UK passport has increased from £42 to £66 because of the extra technology.