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| 'Vital' passport changes defended | 'Vital' passport changes defended |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Changing the way in which applications for a first passport are treated will be "vital" in helping crack down on identity fraud, passport officials say. | |
| The Identity and Passport Service has defended changes which mean that from April first-time adult applicants will be called to a face-to-face interview. | The Identity and Passport Service has defended changes which mean that from April first-time adult applicants will be called to a face-to-face interview. |
| Some 69 centres are being set up across the UK to accommodate the new system. | Some 69 centres are being set up across the UK to accommodate the new system. |
| Officials hope it will stop attempts to falsify passports, but some experts say professionals will not be deterred. | Officials hope it will stop attempts to falsify passports, but some experts say professionals will not be deterred. |
| The problem of identity fraud costs the UK an estimated £1.7bn a year. | The problem of identity fraud costs the UK an estimated £1.7bn a year. |
| The Identity and Passport Service says that while the new system, which will affect hundreds of thousands of applicants, is an inconvenience it is vital to the battle against the growing fraud problem. | The Identity and Passport Service says that while the new system, which will affect hundreds of thousands of applicants, is an inconvenience it is vital to the battle against the growing fraud problem. |
| Chief executive James Hall said: "We all as citizens recognise that we have to be inconvenienced by airport security but it's in our collective benefit that we are. | |
| "So I think people will recognise that its appropriate once in their lifetime to go through a little bit more inconvenience in order that we can ensure the integrity of the passport document." | |
| Not intrusive | Not intrusive |
| Questions in the interviews will centre on information like previous addresses and bank details that can be checked to prove identity. | Questions in the interviews will centre on information like previous addresses and bank details that can be checked to prove identity. |
| It is hoped the measure will make people think twice about committing passport fraud, about 75% of which is believed to involve first-time applicants. | It is hoped the measure will make people think twice about committing passport fraud, about 75% of which is believed to involve first-time applicants. |
| Fraud expert Prof Michael Levy said: "It's basically ratcheting up the level of knowledge that you need about your pretended self in order to get that passport compared to a present situation where you have a free hit." | |
| However, some experts argue that the test may deter "chancers", but that "hardcore" passport fraudsters will not be put off. | However, some experts argue that the test may deter "chancers", but that "hardcore" passport fraudsters will not be put off. |
| When the Home Office first unveiled the interview plans in 2005, it said it wanted 97% of the population to be within 20 miles of one of the interview centres. | When the Home Office first unveiled the interview plans in 2005, it said it wanted 97% of the population to be within 20 miles of one of the interview centres. |
| A spokesman added that the interviews would not be "intrusive", but aimed at ensuring the applicant was who they said they were. | A spokesman added that the interviews would not be "intrusive", but aimed at ensuring the applicant was who they said they were. |
| Secure chip | Secure chip |
| From 2009, all those who want to renew their passports will have to visit one of the centres to have their fingerprints and photographs taken, in preparation for the biometric passport. | From 2009, all those who want to renew their passports will have to visit one of the centres to have their fingerprints and photographs taken, in preparation for the biometric passport. |
| And some may also face a similar but shorter interview. | And some may also face a similar but shorter interview. |
| Since October, all Britons applying for passports have been issued with the new, more expensive, ePassport. | Since October, all Britons applying for passports have been issued with the new, more expensive, ePassport. |
| The hi-tech document features a secure chip storing an image of the holder's face and "relevant biographical details" and costs £66 - a rise of £15. | The hi-tech document features a secure chip storing an image of the holder's face and "relevant biographical details" and costs £66 - a rise of £15. |
| The Lib Dems' Simon Hughes said the move would disrupt the lives of working people. | |
| "Most people do not have the time or the inclination to have to travel, probably quite a long way from where they live, probably during the working week when they have jobs to do, to be able to keep the Home Office happy. | |
| "The Home Office needs to calm down, back off and let people go about their lives in an efficient way, efficient for people not efficient for the Home Office." |