Not only is this useful information for the corporate traveller, it shows the importance the Home Office places on the business travel industry, and the value of influence and collaboration between government and TMCs.<\/strong><\/p>\n Below is the full transcript of Mr Hinds’ letter along with the steps being taken by UK Border Control to prepare for Summer 2022.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Home_Office_logo.jpg” title_text=”Home_Office_logo” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ admin_label=”centre divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”20px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”David Hinds letter” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”text” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”0%||0%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dear Colleague<\/p>\n Border Force officials and I have very much welcomed collaboration with industry colleagues on planning in recent months, including for Easter, the Platinum Jubilee weekend and the imminent summer holiday period. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and also provide an update on plans to meet our shared objective of passengers flowing smoothly across the UK border throughout what we expect to be a busy summer.<\/p>\n National headlines <\/b><\/p>\n We are planning for a full return of pre-pandemic international travel levels in July, August and the first two weeks of September. This means on peak days, Border Force will need an additional c.350 shifts across its operation, and we have extensive plans in place to meet this requirement.<\/p>\n Border Force will be managing all of this utilising a range of levers, including:<\/p>\n Recruitment has continued at pace with three national campaigns in the last nine months, with the objective of growing Border Force\u2019s frontline workforce by 10% this year.<\/p>\n Taking steps to build greater resilience into our eGate infrastructure to deal with increasing passenger volumes is also a priority for Border Force. We have been upgrading them and we continue to see improvements in overall performance and stability – eGate incidents have fallen by 27% over the past two months and compared to the old eGate software they now perform a wider range of checks, using inter-dependent systems on the same volumes and in some places higher volumes of passengers. This current system has only been in place since October 2021, compared with six years of incremental improvements for the old eGates. To sustain the upgraded eGates over the summer, our suppliers are making further hardware and software improvements and we are strengthening the engineering support to safeguard performance and stability. Longer-term, and as part of our plans to digitise the border, we are assessing additional cohorts of passenger that could also use an e-Gate.<\/p>\n How industry can help <\/b><\/p>\n To ensure a smooth UK border experience for visiting and returning passengers this summer, I would like to re-iterate the importance of some key interventions that you can help with, including:<\/p>\n In addition to the above, I would like to ask that carriers consider delivering a short in-flight message to encourage disembarking passengers to be prepared for Border Force checks, particularly for flights arriving at ports with eGates. Where available, eGates are by far the quickest way for eligible passengers to pass through passport control and should help manage queues as effectively as possible. I have included proposed text to this letter and would welcome your consideration in earnest.<\/p>\n Finally, but no less important, an ask from me for airports is to ensure you have effective and robust systems in place to avoid the risks of passengers being misdirected upon arrival at the UK border. We have seen a few instances of misdirected arrivals in recent weeks and as Minister for Security and Borders, I take these very seriously as I know you will too. As part of our continued collaboration, I have asked our regional Border Force teams to work with you to both support you and so they can be assured that you have the right mitigations to prevent any further security incidents.<\/p>\n We all have a busy summer ahead across air, rail and maritime but I have confidence that our planning and joint-working will lend itself well to ensuring that passenger flows are smooth and queues are kept to a minimum. Border Force officials and I (along with colleagues and Ministers at the Department for Transport) look forward to continuing to collaborate and work in partnership with you over the next few months and to continue engaging with you all on our ongoing transformation to deliver a frictionless and ever more automated border.<\/p>\n I am copying this letter to Robert Courts MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport.<\/p>\n Yours sincerely,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Damian Hinds<\/strong> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”call out text box” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#efefef” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0%|0px|0%|0px|true|true” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n For a smoother journey through the UK border, upon arrival at passport control you are advised to: <\/i><\/p>\n You are advised to use the eGates for quicker passage through passport control. You may use the eGates if you meet the following criteria: <\/i><\/p>\n When using the eGates, please: <\/i><\/p>\n Staff will be available to assist if required. <\/i><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ admin_label=”centre divider” _builder_version=”4.16″ collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”20px” custom_margin=”45px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”spacer” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”back button” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”30px|0px|75px|0px|false|false” border_color_all=”rgba(255,186,96,0.6)” border_width_right=”8vw” border_color_right=”#5b8cb1″ collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ admin_label=”CTA” _builder_version=”4.14.2″ custom_margin=”2px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”40px|0px|40px|0px|true|false” use_custom_width=”on” global_module=”8310″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Traveller-Toolkit-Original-Image.jpg” url=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/toolkit\/” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”http:\/\/gdg.travel\/toolkit” button_text=”visit the TRAVELLER TOOLKIT” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”button: Traveller Toolkit” _builder_version=”4.16″ button_icon=”%%126%%” button_icon_color=”#ffffff” animation_style=”none” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”text CTA” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0%||0%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n To help you navigate the changes of business travel, we\u2019ve created the brand-new Traveller Toolkit<\/strong><\/a>. This invaluable online resource is packed full of easy-to-use guides and checklists for every stage of every journey. We detail exactly what you need to know and do before, during and after your trip in a post-pandemic, post Brexit world.<\/p>\n You can even check the travel restrictions and health status of your destination with our comprehensive COVID-19 Country Tracker, updated five times daily to ensure you have the very latest information to help keep you and your travellers safe.<\/p>\n Travel is changing. With common sense and a good TMC behind you, travellers can have the confidence to once again take to the skies. It\u2019ll soon be back business<\/em> as (un)usual.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”back button” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”55px|0px|55px|0px|true|false” use_custom_width=”on” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_button button_url=”\/back-to-business\/” button_text=”back to blog” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”button: back to business… travel” _builder_version=”4.16″ button_icon=”%%23%%” button_icon_color=”#ffffff” button_icon_placement=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#414042″ background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_image=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Train-Doors-Open-Start-Your-Journey.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” z_index_tablet=”500″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”Footer Row” module_id=”footer” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_image=”off” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1800ms” z_index_tablet=”500″ make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(65,64,66,0.75)” custom_padding=”100px|10%|100px|10%” custom_padding_tablet=”” 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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/David_Hinds_signature-300x88.png\")
<\/p>\n
Security Minister<\/p>\nProposed in-flight message:<\/b><\/h5>\n
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\u00a0<\/h5>\n
For ports with e-gates: <\/strong><\/h5>\n
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JOURNEY NOW …\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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WE ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE<\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Email Option & Social footer” _builder_version=”4.14.2″ background_color=”#414042″ background_enable_color=”off” background_color_gradient_direction=”148deg” background_image=”http:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Train-CTA.png” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_right” background_blend=”multiply” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”60px||60px||false|false” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_width_right=”0vw” border_color_right=”#e0e0e0″ border_color_left=”rgba(48,48,48,0.5)” border_width_right_tablet=”” border_width_right_phone=”0vw” border_width_right_last_edited=”on|tablet” disabled=”on” global_module=”3013″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5″ make_equal=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”bottom_right” background_blend=”screen” width_tablet=”80%” width_last_edited=”off|desktop” max_width=”1800px” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” z_index_tablet=”500″ make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”40px” custom_margin=”||14px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nSUBSCRIBE<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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