Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance Border Force officers have been issued on handling cases where children arrive at UK ports of entry without British passports but may be entitled to British citizenship by descent.

We have been clear on the requirement for dual British citizens, including children and families, to travel with a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement. This requirement applies equally to all British citizens. We recognise the enforcement of ETAs by carriers is a significant change, and so we have provided additional temporary guidance to carriers on possible alternative documentation and have put in place around the clock support for carriers to prepare for these changes. In line with current practice, on arrival at the UK border, Border Force will still assess a person’s eligibility to enter the UK and conduct additional checks if required. This may include assessing an applicant’s claims to hold the right of abode in the UK against existing guidance.