In acts of aggression (as seen in France and in our own country) it is right that the rest of the world should come together, condone it and respond as one. This is the only way we can lesson the impact & fear that these tyrants are trying to create.

But, when it comes to our own national security. Is it right the printing of our passports is outsourced to another country?

Personally, we have nothing against France. In fact, we love the country, the culture, the people, the wine, the cheese and the weather. We’ve visited many times on camping trips, to places like the French alps, the Dordogne and the Loire Valley. They are all very beautiful places.

But France printing our own UK passports. Come on Teresa May….

Forget about brexit and the recent outsourcing (to other countries) of steel & train contracts. Although, both of these are important and have a massive impact on our employment and economy.

Passports are our sovereign identity & our first line of security. And in the wrong hands, they present a very easy way for terrorists and other unscrupulous individuals, from entering our country and causing chaos.

Yes, we agree British Government contracts should be built, supported, printed and delivered by British based organisations and their British based employees. Keeping our citizens in employment and making sure the money is spent in Britain to help our economy grow.

But, this passport fiasco encompasses much more than this…

We understand, being part of the European project (for now anyway), demands that any large scale Government contracts have to be put out to tender (in a fair & just manner) to everyone. Including our European colleagues. Which is why some other European countries now build some of our trains and deliver some of our steel (to build our new sea defense fleet).

Come on though, the printing of our passports (red, black, blue or even pink) is different. Hasn’t it got to be about national security?

Why is it, both Germany & France opt out of putting their sovereign passport printing out to European tender (citing its a national security issue), and we bend over backwards to give it to another country and put our national security at risk?

Yes, there is money at stake (£120m over 5 years we believe) and as the ‘Money Saving Experts‘, we are the first people to applaud any organisation or individual who develops a great money saving idea.

But this isn’t about money, is it? Surely its about safety? Is it worth (potentially) putting peoples lives at risk by saving £120 million over 5 years?

If the UK Government are so intent on saving £120 million on their passport printing, maybe they should consider investing in some Konica Minolta photocopiers (rated (probably) the world’s best for colour) and do the printing themselves.

For us though, the UK Government can (french) stick their passport printing outsourcing where the sun doesn’t shine, and give the contract back to UK based De La Rue. Which in turn, will keep UK citizens employed, help the UK economy to grow and most important, keep the UK a much safer place for all of us to live.