The cover of the British passport will be returning to blue after
the UK leaves the European Union, the Immigration Minister
announced today.
After Brexit, the UK travel document will no longer be required
to conform to EU standards. So in a move to symbolise our
national identity, the cover will be changing from the standard
EU burgundy colour to a blue and gold design.
The new, unique blue passport will be one of the most secure
travel documents in the world, with a raft of new and updated
security features and technologies to protect against fraud and
forgery. For example, the current paper-based picture page will
be replaced with a new, super-strength plastic polycarbonate
material that will be more difficult to alter.
Immigration Minister said:
“Leaving the EU gives us a unique opportunity to restore our
national identity and forge a new path for ourselves in the
world.
“That is why I am delighted to announce that the British passport
will be returning to the iconic blue and gold design after we
have left the European Union in 2019.
“It will also be one of the most secure travel documents in the
world, with a raft of new security measures to protect against
fraud and forgery.”
To save the taxpayer money, the newly designed passports will be
introduced in a phased approach.
After the UK leaves the EU, burgundy passports will continue to
be issued but with no reference to the European Union.
New blue and gold passports will be issued from October 2019,
when the new passport contract begins, to those renewing or
applying for a new passport.
There is no need for British passport holders to do anything
ahead of their current passport renewal date.
The blue cover is a return to the original appearance of the
British passport, with the colour first used in 1921. It remained
the colour of choice until the UK joined the EU and the burgundy
common format colour was agreed and adopted.
More details about the new passport will be announced when a
supplier is appointed in spring next year.
