Yahoo News Government defends choosing Franco-Dutch firm for post-Brexit passports: 'It will save taxpayers more than £100m'
The Government has defended a controversial decision to produce the new post-Brexit blue passports outside of Britain, saying the move will save taxpayers more than £100 million.
Ministers faced a backlash after reports emerged that Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto had won the contract to produce the document.
The announcement that the UK passport would change from EU burgundy to blue after leaving the bloc had been hailed by some as a symbol of Britain's regained independence.
But on Thursday Theresa May faced calls to explain to British workers why the passport appears set to be made on the Continent.
In a statement, the Home Office said: "The preferred bidder has been selected following a rigorous, fair and open competition and all bidders were notified of the outcome last night.
"The chosen company demonstrated that they will be best able to meet the needs of our passport service with a high quality and secure product at the best value for money for our customers and the taxpayer.
"It's been the case since 2009 that we do not require passports to be manufactured in the UK.
"A proportion of passports have been made overseas since then with up to 20 per cent of blank passport books currently produced in Europe with no security or operational concerns."
The department claimed the preferred bid will save the taxpayer around £120 million during the eleven-and-a-half year contract.
It added that up to 70 jobs will be created at factories in Fareham, Hampshire, and Heywood, Greater Manchester.
The quality of the passport was prioritised over cost when examining the bids at a split of 60/40, the Home Office said.
While the blank books may be manufactured overseas, passport holders' personal details and pictures will be added in the UK.
The statement came amid furore over the move, with current provider De La Rue saying it was considering appealing against the decision.
Tory MP Sir Bill Cash, chairman of the Commons European Scrutiny Committee, attacked the decision, saying it was "symbolically completely wrong".
The redesign, which routinely happens every five years, will come as part of a £490 million contract which also includes printing and assembling passports.
Gemalto said it was aware of reports regarding the contract, adding: "As the process is still ongoing and the terms of engagement are confidential, we cannot make any further comment on it at this stage."
