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New border control uniforms in place at Leeds Bradford Airport

HOME OFFICE News Release (177/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 13 November 2007

Travellers flying in to Leeds Bradford International Airport are now being met by Immigration Officers in dark blue suits and light blue shirts.

The new border control uniforms are being worn to make it clearer to travellers that they are approaching the UK border to have their passports checked.

Visiting the airport for the first time this morning, the Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said:

"The UK border is a vital line of defence against illegal immigration, terrorism and crime.

"Over the next 12 months we're introducing sweeping changes to Britain's border security and Leeds Bradford is at the forefront."

"We've already boosted staff, but now we're making sure they have the right powers and the right technology to do the job.

"We've invested in new passport technology to prevent people coming into Britain on someone else's identity and we're giving immigration officers tough new powers to keep our country safe.

"New uniforms help us make sure these big changes are visible to taxpayers."

New-style passport scanners allow immigration officers to read chips in modern passports which contain further proof that the holders are who they say they are.

Any document that arouses suspicion is taken away for detailed analysis by forgery experts.

Liam Byrne continued:

"Stringent checks begin before people step on a plane or boat to come to the UK.

"A biometric visa is now required by nationals of over 100 countries to come to the UK. This is to prevent people using someone else's identity to get into the country. The UK Borders Act, which became law recently, will be a big step forward in giving our frontline forces the powers they need to strengthen our borders and shut down the illegal jobs that we know cause illegal journeys."

Following his visit to the airport, the Immigration Minister was due to attend a debate about Britishness at Leeds Town Hall.

Members of the local community are being invited to advise the Government what newcomers to Britain should be expected to do if they want to become a British citizen.

Among the subjects expected to be discussed were:

* Should newcomers be expected to do voluntary work before they can become a British citizen?
* Should they be able to speak English?
* What should happen if they commit crimes?
* Should citizenship ceremonies be more of a community celebration?

The event organisers also planned to note people's views on whether Britain should celebrate a national day and when it should be.

The debate in Leeds is the third of several around the country which the Home Office, along with other Government Departments, is using to develop future immigration policies.

Notes to editors:

1) The introduction of uniforms for border control officers started in August 07.

2) Staff have been involved in an extensive consultation exercise to inform the design of the uniform and have played a significant part in supporting its introduction.

3) Britishness debates have already taken place in Portsmouth and Bristol.