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United Kingdom · biometric border control · watch lists · API/PNR

Digital Services at the Border (DSAB) programme

In operation Status as of 9 December 2020 · Funding type: State budget

DSAB began in 2014 to replace legacy border systems 1. The Home Office adopted in-house development after an options review 2. NAO found no value for money against the 2014 to 2019 plan, with one of three planned systems live by March 2019 1. Its 2020 summary estimated build costs at GBP 311 million and delay costs at GBP 173 million 3. The audit recognised better governance and planning after the reset but retained concerns about delivery and integration 1. This entry's status refers to the 2020 report, not a verified later completion.

Key terms

Read the guide to API and PNR passenger data.

Buyer
Home Office
Vendor
Home Office in-house delivery approach adopted in 2014 (suppliers not named in the sources reviewed)
Vendor based in
Not confirmed
Signed
2014 (programme start)
Duration
2014 to March 2022 under the 2019 reset plan
Value
GBP 311 million total expected cost of building systems, 2014-15 to 2021-22 (NAO, 9 December 2020)
Funding
state budget
Procurement route
Not published
System ownership
Home Office
Data terms
Not published

Timeline

  1. Signed or started: 2014 (programme start)
  2. 3 December 2015: The NAO reported the Home Office accepted an options review in early 2014 proposing in-house development of new systems 2
  3. 9 December 2020: The NAO concluded the programme did not achieve value for money between 2014 and 2019, with only the Border Crossing system live by March 2019, and put the extra cost of missing the original timetable at GBP 173 million 1,3
  4. 9 December 2020: NAO recognised clearer focus, more realistic planning and stronger governance after the reset. It still identified delivery and integration risks 1.
  5. 9 December 2020: Recorded status is In operation.

Sources

  1. National Audit Office: Digital Services at the Border (9 December 2020)
  2. National Audit Office: E-borders and successor programmes, HC 608, summary (3 December 2015)
  3. National Audit Office: Digital Services at the Border, HC 1069, summary (9 December 2020)

Fields marked "Not published" or "Not confirmed" could not be established from an official or reliable source. If you hold a document that fills a gap or corrects an entry, write to editor@bordercontracts.org. Last checked 19 October 2026.

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