De La Rue will produce UK biometric Passports

De La Rue PLC’s Identity Systems division stated publicly that it is the selected bidder to work with the UK Passport for the Identity and Passport Service (IPS).

The deal is approximately valued at upwards of £400 million.

IPS conducted an international tender process and the deal involves switching to a biometric passport, which is why the contract will be valid for the next ten years.

The new passport will contain fingerprint biometrics in an attempt to protect citizens from identity theft.

This is the first time fingerprints will be added to the passports which, since 2006, have also had a digital chip that contain the personal details and a photo of the holder.

Chief executive of UPS, James Hall, stated that the UK passport is often thought to be one of the most protected globally, and the aim of the Government is to keep it that way to further protect all UK citizens.

In the past, De La Rue Identity Systems has provided over 50 identity management solutions globally and also produces the new UK Emergency Travel Document.

The company also develops and supports government identification systems for e-passports, driving licenses, ID cards, visas, and voting registration cards.

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