UK 'may not be ready for new EU border rules by next summer' – Labour

Keir Starmer’s government has already taken steps to mitigate any potential disruption later this year by pledging to work more closely with the French government and other stakeholders, such as Eurostar and Eurotunnel, on the both EU’s implementation plans and efforts on the UK side.

Malhotra said getting holidaymakers and travellers ready for the changes would be "critical", a process she said would involve a communications campaign to raise awareness among the travelling public – "especially UK nationals and third-country nationals resident in the UK".

"It is critical British citizens are aware of the new requirements and [are] prepared for the additional time these will take with sufficient time to plan ahead," Malhotra told MPs.

’Shared objectives’

Other efforts will include working with the European Commission and EU member states to lobby for relief measures, such as exempting passengers from having their finger prints and photo taken, to be extended for more than six months to smooth the transition.

"We believe extending these beyond six months would improve throughput at the EU’s external border if queues form during peak periods in early 2025 due to the additional processing time required for EES,” Malhotra continued.

The UK has also asked for an additional French control zone at Dover’s western docks which can be operated by French border control officers in the same way they currently do in the port’s eastern docks.

“It’s both in the UK’s and the European Union’s interest to work together on our shared objectives to ensure we maintain secure borders, while also minimising any disruption caused by the EES,” Malhotra added.