The UK government is getting ready for possible travel disruptions as it introduces a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.
This system will work with the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
The House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee has expressed concerns about the tight schedule and lack of public awareness surrounding these changes.
New border systems: ETA, EES, ETIAS
The UK’s ETA, described as a “digital permission to enter the UK,” will be needed for visa-exempt visitors who are staying in the country for a short time.
The EU’s EES will record non-EU travelers each time they enter or leave Schengen countries, collecting biometric data like facial images and fingerprints.
The ETIAS, which is similar to the UK’s ETA, will be a required pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors going to European countries.
Committee warns of public undermining
The Justice and Home Affairs Committee has warned that making these changes too quickly and without proper coordination might make the public lose trust in how the UK manages its borders.
Lord Foster of Bath, the committee’s chair, stressed that it is important to introduce these changes gradually and in a well-organized way to prevent problems at the UK’s borders.
Concerns over Home Office scrutiny
The committee has also expressed concerns because the Home Office seems to avoid independent checks, as shown by the recent firing of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration.
The committee is also concerned that there are no proper systems in place to learn from mistakes. They are urging the government to quickly find a new inspector for this role.
EU Entry/Exit System delays
The European Scrutiny Committee has warned that the EU’s EES could cause delays of up to 14 hours at the Port of Dover because of fingerprint registration.
To prevent these problems, the committee has asked the government to talk to EU authorities to delay the launch of the system and to allow an exemption from collecting fingerprints at certain borders.
Lack of preparedness raises concerns
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, has expressed worry that the EES will cause long delays when it starts, stressing that the system still needs testing and improvements.
The Justice and Home Affairs Committee also pointed out the lack of public awareness about the upcoming border changes, which could lead to delays and challenges.
Calls for government disruption action
To prevent potential disruptions, the European Scrutiny Committee has asked the UK government to provide more funding for certain ports and create awareness campaigns for people crossing the border for the first time.
The committee also wants the government to quickly introduce a mobile app for registration to make the process faster and reduce delays.
Navigating border control landscape
As the UK and EU get ready to launch their new electronic border systems, there are growing concerns about possible travel disruptions and loss of public trust.
The government needs to act quickly to fix these issues by talking with EU authorities, informing the public, and making sure the changes are well-organized to avoid chaos at the UK’s borders.