Blue passports will be issued to UK citizens from next month
In what is largely viewed as a symbolic gesture, British passports will be issued with a blue cover for the first time in almost three decades starting next month replacing the burgundy passports that have been standard issue for EU countries since 1988.
The Home Office has played up the green credentials of the blue passport, claiming the carbon footprint generated during its production will be offset to net zero through projects such as the planting of trees and have also touted the raft of new security features and technological enhancements that have been incorporated into the document including a hard-wearing, super-strong polycarbonate data page and secure printing and design techniques which should offer better protection against identity theft and fraud.
Pro-European campaigners and nationalist politicians in Northern Ireland have voiced their concerns that the new document will create unnecessary barriers to travel and mean Britons will be subjected to delays and extra screenings at airports and ports in Europe.
