STORY
Children aged ten and eleven can now use passport eGates at UK border controls when travelling with an eligible adult, extending a system previously limited to passengers aged 12 and over. The change took effect on 8 July at more than 290 eGates in British airports and at juxtaposed border controls in Europe.
The Home Office said the expansion would make family journeys quicker during the summer holiday period while maintaining security checks. Children must hold an eligible biometric passport and travel with an adult who can also use the eGates, although Border Force officers will retain discretion to conduct additional checks.
Ministers said trials had shown that the technology could safely process younger passengers. The move forms part of wider efforts to increase automated border processing, although families may still be directed to staffed desks when documentation, safeguarding concerns or operational circumstances require it.