UK Passport Agency

Passport Agency decides to introduce the digital passport to minimise the risk of the existence of fraudulent passports, replace its existing computer system and improve its efficiency and effectiveness. This would be done through a private finance or outsourcing contract that should bring efficiency savings.

Passport Agency awards 10-year PFI contract, valued at £120 million, for printing and despatching digital passports to The Stationery Office (now Security Printing & Systems Limited).

Passport Agency awards 10-year PFI contract, valued at £120 million, to Siemens Business Services for the collection, storage and transmission of passport application data.

Announcement made that from October 1998 children not already on a passport would require their own passports to travel abroad. Details of requirement included on new application forms distributed from this time.

New IT system and outsourced procedures introduced to the Passport Agency’s Liverpool Office. One hundred staff transferred to Siemens. Introduction of requirement for children to hold a separate passport if not already included on a passport.

Passport Agency Management Board decides to roll-out new system and procedures to the Newport Office.

New system and procedures introduced to Newport Office. 96 staff transferred to Siemens.

Passport Agency Management Board decides to postpone introduction of new system to remaining four offices.

Passport Agency Management Board decide to concentrate on prioritising applications by travel dates. Other measures agreed to boost output including additional payment to staff to increase overtime working (subsequently extended and increased).