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Written question asked by James McMurdock (Independent (affiliation)) on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 December 2025. It was answered by Mike Tapp (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.


Immigration Controls: Biometrics

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of live facial recognition on security and passenger flow at UK borders and airports; and what evaluation has been undertaken in relation to the accuracy and reliability of facial recognition in those settings.

Answer

Facial comparison technology is currently in operation at the eGates at the UK border. eGates provide a safe, secure and efficient method for millions of passengers to cross our border each year. Technology deployed at the UK border is rigorously tested to ensure it is robust, resilient and effective.

The Immigration White Paper, published May 2025, sets out our vision to revolutionise the border by using technology to make visible changes to security and the passenger flow.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
99001
Session
2024-26
Related items
Restoring Control over the Immigration System
Monday, 12 May 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects
Biometrics Immigration controls Standards
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk