UK passports to go biometric

Biometric data is likely to appear on all UK passports within the following four years, the UK Passport Office chief has stated.

Passports will have a microchip embedded into them which contains unique data relating to fingerprints or iris recognition.

Bernard Herdan, head of the UK Passport Office, said biometric passports will fit in with Home Secretary, David Blunkett's ideas for increasing border security.

Blunkett said earlier this month he wants to see everyone in the UK holding an entitlement card - in other words a compulsory identity card - which would list personal details and information on which state services the holder is entitled to use.

Asylum seekers have been forced to use Blunkett's cards since 31 January this year.