Tech upgrade for biometric passports and ID cards

The UK Passport Service (UKPS) is working on a technology upgrade to help it cope with new demands resulting from biometric passports and identity cards.

Its annual report reveals the agency is working on a "complete technology refresh" due for completion next year, moving it towards a service-oriented architecture (SOA). This will support government plans for biometric passports, which are a major building block for its controversial ID card plans.

The UKPS said the first biometric passports are expected late this year or early next year. The first will feature a facial biometric, although other biometrics may be added at a later date.

The agency said biometric passports, and the face-to-face interview process also being introduced, are key to cutting fraud.

"As long as it remains possible for passports to be processed completely by post, criminals will attempt to obtain passports in false or stolen identities knowing that detection of a fraudulent application would be very unlikely to lead to arrest," it said.

It added there is "a pressing need" for an improved, integrated system of identity authentication. The system will include the full rollout of its Personal Identity Project (PIP), which uses checks on private and public sector databases to confirm an applicant's identity. This will be followed by a personal interview.

"When the UKPS has confirmed that the identity has not been stolen, the biometric in the passport will link the document to the individual and prevent any future attempt by any other person to obtain a passport in that identity," the agency explained.

The agency has been trialing PIP at one office and now plans to roll out PIP to all offices for first-time adult applicants. It will also open 69 offices in order to conduct the 600,000 interviews a year.

The UKPS said it spent £16m on a new plant and equipment to deliver biometric passports last year, along with investment in its Electronic Passport Application System.