The Home Office has increased the total value of its passport production contract to £576 million. This change reflects a surge in demand for passport services.
As of early Tuesday, the Home Office issues about eight million passports annually. The current contract with Thales started in April 2018.
The new contract will last for 12 years. It was originally set to start in September 2027 but has been postponed to August 2028.
The Home Office will pay IBM £5.88 million for software licenses and support services. Officials noted that these services are proprietary to IBM and embedded within existing systems.
Historically, the demand for passport photos has also included celebrity involvement. A photographic studio founded in London in 1953 became popular for taking celebrity passport photos.
Kate Winslet had a passport photo taken for her character in the movie Hideous Kinky. The studio promised prints ‘ready in 10 minutes’.
The new supplier may need to produce digital travel credentials, adapting to changing travel requirements.
The Home Office’s current contract ends on 30 September 2029. This extended commitment indicates a proactive approach to accommodate future needs.
