EU Entry/Exit System and border delays for British travellers

That this House notes with deep concern the disruption experienced by British travellers following the full rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System on 10 April 2026; regrets that, despite repeated Government assurances that UK citizens would be able to “sail through” European borders, Ministers failed to secure widespread e-gate access for British passport holders across the majority of EU Member States ahead of implementation; further notes that e-gate access for UK travellers expanded by only a handful of ports between August 2025 and April 2026 despite repeated ministerial promises of progress; acknowledges that British holidaymakers suffered significant delays, extensive queueing and missed flights during Easter and peak travel periods, resulting in substantial personal costs, travel disruption and distress for families and travellers; believes that this disruption reflects the Government’s failure to negotiate effectively with European partners or put robust contingency plans in place ahead of EES implementation, compounded by the restrictive terms of the Conservatives’ botched Brexit deal; expresses concern that continued border friction risks undermining tourism, business travel and consumer confidence ahead of the peak summer holiday season; further believes that British travellers should not continue to bear the burden of avoidable bureaucratic barriers when travelling to Europe; and calls on the Government to urgently bring forward a comprehensive plan to reduce border frictions for UK travellers and ensure that British travellers can travel around Europe with greater ease, efficiency and certainty.