Theresa May wants to introduce British only passport lanes at airports The Prime Minister is said to be in disagreement with Home Secretary Sajid Javid on the plans.

Theresa May is insisting on the creation of special lanes for UK passport holders at British ports and airports after Brexit, it has emerged.

The Prime Minister was reported to be keen on British citizens having a visual symbol of the country having left the European Union.

Her move threatens to put her on a collision course with the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, who has previously blocked the move.

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He raised fears that separate channels would result in bigger queues for UK nationals than for foreign visitors.

UK passport lanes

The Home Office was also said to fear that establishing UK-only lanes would put pressure on its budget from recruiting extra border staff.

However, a Downing Street source told The Sun: “The PM wants separate lanes for British travellers as an important sign to voters that Brexit has happened and there are tangible benefits from it that everyone can see. She will insist the Home Office creates them.”

Under the proposals, separate lanes would be created at the end of 2020 when the planned post-Brexit transition period ends and the EU’s freedom of movement rules no longer apply to Britain.

The issue came under the spotlight last summer when airline passengers faced queues of up to four hours at European airports, including Madrid, Milan and Paris.

They were subject to enhanced checks on people entering and leaving the Schengen area with border staff comparing passenger details against security databases.

Chaos at borders

The PM wants separate lanes for British travellers as an important sign to voters that Brexit has happened Downing Street

The turmoil heightened fears that British travellers would encounter similar chaos at the end of the transition period.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We will use the opportunity of Brexit to take back control of our borders and strengthen border security.

“We are considering a range of options for the future immigration system and will set out more details later this year.”

Mrs May’s move echoes her support last year to change the colour of UK passports from the EU’s burgundy back to Britain’s historic dark blue.

Ministers are known to be looking for ways of demonstrating that Brexit will make a difference to everyday lives.

The plans emerged after the government scaled back proposals for the steady release of data about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on the country amid fears that the strategy would heighten gloom about Britain’s prospects outside the EU.