During the 2019 budget announcement in the House of Commons on October 29, 2018, Chancellor Philip Hammond proposed expanding the use of e-passport gates across UK airports.
"We will allow visitors from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan to use e-passport gates at Heathrow and other airports, currently limited to EEA nationals," he stated.
The European Economic Area (EEA) encompasses European Union members and Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.
Hammond's budget speech largely focused on the UK's departure from the European Union, commonly known as "Brexit." Concerns have arisen regarding potential complications for air travel into the UK post-Brexit.
The new budget measures are anticipated to take effect by April 2019, allowing travelers to finalize their vacation plans.
This announcement follows a recent ambitious proposal to establish Heathrow as the world's largest airport by 2030. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, three of the five nations mentioned by Hammond, are members of the Commonwealth.
An organization that monitors global travel access, Japan boasts the world's most powerful passport. Japanese passport holders enjoy visa-free or simplified entry into an impressive 190 countries. The United States and the United Kingdom share the fifth position on this list.
While Hammond's announcement benefits travelers to the UK, the 120-page budget document also addresses matters impacting British citizens.
These include a national living wage increase to £8.21 ($10.51) and a freeze on alcohol duties, good news for those eager to visit traditional pubs. If you find the budget details complex, you're not alone.
October 29th marked both Budget Day and National Cat Day. The Exchequer's resident feline, the bowtie-clad Gladstone, helped explain key takeaways.
