Home Office launches carriers’ liability consultation

Mark Harper, the Minister of State for Immigration today announced the launch of a consultation on a package of proposals around the liability of carriers for bringing undocumented passengers to the UK.

The consultation document includes, firstly, to increase the level of the carriers’ liability charge from £2,000 per undocumented passenger to £7,000. 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.

The consultation will last for 4 weeks and is targeted at airline and ferry companies, industry representative bodies and passenger groups.