Vertical Markets

Higher fines proposed

by Mark Rowe

The Coalition proposes to fine transport carriers more for unwittingly bringing stowaways into the UK. In a consultation document, the Government proposes to raise the carriers’ liability charge from £2,000 per undocumented passenger to £7,000.

On the launch of a consultation on proposals around the liability of carriers for bringing undocumented passengers to the UK, Minister of State for Immigration, Mark Harper, said: “Whilst this is a significant increase, the charge level has been at £2,000 for over 20 years and no longer reflects the costs and risks involved. The second is to introduce a new Approved Route incentives scheme for carriers. This includes a number of charge waivers if the carrier is engaging effectively with us on border security issues, including document checking and data submission.

“Border security is vital for the UK. Whilst it is right that the Government is in the lead on this, carriers and the transport sector as a whole have an important role to play. We are therefore strengthening our partnership with this sector on a broad range of border security issues.

“The cost to the UK of undocumented passengers can be high as many go on to claim asylum. There can also be a security risk as individuals wishing to come here for organised crime or terrorism purposes may view this as a potential method of entry. The policy objective of the proposals is to reduce the number of passengers arriving in the UK without proper documentation, and to do this by working in partnership with carriers.

The consultation will last for four weeks and is aimed at airline and ferry companies, industry bodies and passenger groups.

Meanwhile, Department for Transport (DfT) has brought out a new DfT Aviation Security Compliance approved Security Providers. The companies listed are recognised by the Department for Transport as providers of aviation security such as screening and searching. Visit – https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/197596/approved-security-providers.pdf

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