Home Office official admits enforcing new travel scheme will be ‘a challenge’

The programme is being extended to nationals of all countries but will not apply to Irish citizens because they have a right to travel to any part of the UK under the Common Travel Area.

It will be ‘a challenge’ to catch people illegally entering the UK from the Republic of Ireland who have not signed up to a new travel scheme, a Home Office official has admitted (Steve Parsons/PA)

It will be “a challenge” to catch people illegally entering the UK from Ireland who have not signed up to a new travel scheme, a British Home Office official has admitted.

An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is a requirement for people who do not need a visa to come to the UK.