The UK Identity and Passport Service (IPS), an executive agency of the Home Office responsible for issuing UK passports and ID cards, has awarded CSC a 10-year managed information technology (IT) services contract to upgrade the IPS application and enrollment system. The agreement has an estimated value of £385m.

Under the terms of the contract, CSC will assume responsibility for several existing legacy IT service contracts supporting the IPS. CSC will upgrade the existing application and enrollment system with new capabilities to process applications for passports and ID cards. This upgrade will allow customers to apply online; will improve background checking; will provide a new system for reporting lost and stolen passports and ID cards; will provide customer support for updating personal data; and new IT and telephony systems.

James Hall, Chief Executive of the Identity and Passport Service, commented, "The British passport is already one of the most secure in the world, and it is vital we maintain that strength by moving with the rest of the international community."