Passengers flying into the UK have expressed their anger over delays as passport e-gates across the country have not been working all day.
The issue at airports, including Heathrow, Manchester and Gatwick, began on Friday night.
The Home Office said it was working with airlines and port operators to minimise disruption from the "nationwide border system issue".
A union warned queues would build quickly.
All airports across the country using the gates are affected, meaning people flying in are having to get their passports checked manually.
Marc Baret had been booked on a flight from Chicago to Manchester via Heathrow, but told BBC News he changed his plans when he had been left waiting for more than two hours at the London airport.
He said: "It was absolute chaos at passport control. There were people getting really frustrated and a couple of individuals tried to jump queues, the police had to get engaged and one of the passengers fainted," he said.
One passenger arriving at Gatwick said the situation was an "utter joke".
Another, Craig Pullen, said he had to wait in the queue at Luton Airport for more than two hours on Saturday, adding it was "very poor" that travellers weren't being given regular updates on the issues with the e-gates or being told how long it would take to clear passport control.
It is unclear what the issue is with the border system, with a Home Office spokesman saying it was "too sensitive to say".
However while it is technically affecting anywhere where people are checked coming into the UK, the impact is mainly being felt at larger airports with e-gates.
This weekend was already expected to be busy for travellers, with the bank holiday coinciding with the half-term break for many families.
Separately travellers leaving the UK from the Port of Dover also faced issues after the French passport system failed earlier on Saturday.
That issue has now been fixed, but cars and coaches are waiting for about an hour, with about 400 lorries queuing to make the crossing on what is a busy bank holiday weekend.
PA Media
Airports around the UK issued statements warning passengers of delays but said they were working with the UK Border Force to minimise disruption.
A Gatwick Airport spokesperson said on Saturday morning that queues were "manageable" at that stage - although they were expecting 800 incoming flights during the day. It confirmed the issue first started between 19:00 and 20:00 BST on Friday.
The e-gate system speeds up passport control by allowing some passengers to scan their own passports. It uses facial recognition to verify identity and captures the traveller's image.
Lucy Morton, from the Immigration Services Union, told the BBC that between 60-80% of incoming passengers usually use e-gates, depending on the airport and with them being unavailable queues were likely to build "very quickly".
"There's no impact on national security," she said, explaining that all arrivals will still be fully checked through manned officer desks.
E-gates can be used by British citizens aged over 12 and those from the EU, as well as people from countries including Australia, Canada, the US, Japan and New Zealand.
But all entry points retain manned security desks for other passengers and those unable to use e-gates.
A Home Office spokesperson said they were aware of a "nationwide border system issue affecting arrivals into the UK".
"We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible and are liaising with port operators and airlines to minimise disruption for travellers," they said.
On Thursday and Friday British Airways was also hit by IT issues, affecting more than 20,000 passengers at Heathrow.
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A man arrested after a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street has been charged with making indecent images of children.
Seth Kneller, 43, from Crewe, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today in relation to the indecent child images charge, Scotland Yard has said.
After the hearing, a court official said Kneller was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 23 June.
Kneller was detained by armed officers on Thursday at the scene of the collision on Whitehall on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.
He has since been released under investigation but was charged with the unrelated matter of making indecent images of children.
The silver Kia car he was driving crashed into the gates at around 4.20pm on Thursday.
There were no reports of any injuries and the incident, which continues to be investigated by police, is not being treated as terror-related.
Witnesses at the time described an "almighty smash"and armed officers confronting the lone motorist, who was put on the ground and handcuffed.
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Watch moment car hits Downing St gates
The prime minister was in Downing Street at the time of the crash.
But Rishi Sunak, who had been due to leave No 10 anyway, departed after the incident.
Video footage showed the vehicle crossing Whitehall, apparently from the direction of a Ministry of Defence car park opposite, but then appearing to slow down as it approached the fortified entrance to the street.
British Cycling is to ban transgender women from the female category of its competitions following a nine-month review and consultation.
Under a new participation policy that the governing body said was "predicated on fairness", such athletes will compete in an 'open category' with men.
Female races will be "for those whose sex was assigned female at birth".
The changes will prevent riders such as Emily Bridges potentially being part of the British women's team.
Last year Bridges - the country's highest-profile transgender cyclist - was stopped from competing in her first elite women's race by the UCI, cycling's world federation, despite meeting the rules at the time.
Bridges reacted to the announcement with a statement on social media, calling the change a "violent act" by a "failed organisation" that was "controlling" the conversation on transgender inclusion.
She added that the racing scene was "dying under its watch" and that British Cycling was engaged in "culture wars".
British Cycling's policy had allowed transgender women to take part in elite female events if they met testosterone-based regulations.
But with the governing body at the heart of the debate over balancing inclusion with fairness, its regulations were suspended amid mounting controversy about Bridges and a review was launched.
"Research studies indicate that even with the suppression of testosterone, transgender women who transition post-puberty retain a performance advantage," said British Cycling.
"Our aim in creating our policies has always been to advance and promote equality, diversity and inclusion, while at the same time prioritising fairness of competition.
"We recognise the impact the suspension of our policy has had on trans and non-binary people, and we are sorry for the uncertainty and upset that many have felt during this period."
Transgender women will be able to participate in non-competitive recreational and community cycling without restriction.
The new policies will be implemented by the end of the year.
'You have no right to tell me when I am done' - Bridges response
In her statement, Bridges was critical of the state of British Cycling and its treatment of transgender riders.
"Cycling is still one of the whitest, straightest sports out there and you couldn't care less," she said. "I agree there needs to be a nuanced policy discussion and continue to conduct research. This hasn't happened.
"Research isn't being viewed critically, or any discussion about the relevance of the data to specific sports.
"I've given my body up to science for the last two years, and this data will be out soon.
"There is actual, relevant data coming soon and discussions need to be had."
Bridges claimed discussion of the debate is "inherently political" and "framed by the media who are driven through engagement by hate", saying she was "terrified to exist".
She added: "I know a lot of people will think I'm being dramatic, or overplaying how scary things are at the moment. I don't even know if I want to race my bike any more… but you have no right on telling me when I am done."
What's the background?
Having been a highly promising competitor in junior men's events, Bridges came out as transgender in 2020, starting hormone therapy as part of her gender dysphoria treatment.
She then became eligible to compete in elite women's events under British Cycling's transgender regulations, which required riders to have had testosterone levels below five nanomoles per litre for a 12-month period prior to competition.
But days before the 2022 National Omnium Championships, the UCI said Bridges' participation could only be allowed once her eligibility to race in international competitions was confirmed, dashing her hopes of competing for Wales in the Commonwealth Games.
A group of elite female cyclists called on the UCI to "rescind" its rules around transgender participation, claiming female athletes in the UK were "willing to boycott" events over their "concerns about fairness in their sport".
Bridges said she felt "harassed and demonised" and had "little clarity" on her eligibility. She added that she "does not have any advantage" over her competitors, and could prove it with data.
While British Cycling suspended its rules, the UCI then toughened its regulations, doubling the qualification period to two years and lowering the required testosterone threshold for transgender women riders to 2.5nmol/L.
But this month, after Austin Killips became the first transgender woman to win a UCI women's stage race at the Tour of the Gila, the world governing body re-opened consultation on the issue, saying it "hears the voices of female athletes and their concerns about an equal playing field for competitors".
'Paucity of research' - British Cycling boss
"We acknowledge the paucity of research at this time, but can only look at what's available to use," said British Cycling chief executive Jon Dutton.
"I am confident that we have developed policies that both safeguard the fairness of cycle-sport competition, whilst ensuring all riders have opportunities to participate.
"We have always been very clear that this is a challenge far greater than one sport. We remain committed to listening to our communities, to monitor changes in the scientific and policy landscape, to ensure that sport is inclusive for all."
A number of studies have suggested transgender women retain cardiovascular and strength advantages compared to female athletes, even after taking testosterone-suppressing hormones.
Critics of transgender athletes' participation in some women's sports argue that gives them a disproportionate advantage over their peers and limits opportunities for their rivals.
However, others argue there is not enough detailed research in the area, that the science is not clear, and that with very few elite transgender athletes, sport should be more inclusive, with open categories criticised for being discriminatory.
British Cycling said its women-only community programme "will continue to remain open and inclusive for transgender women and non-binary people" who can "continue to participate in a broad range of British Cycling activities in line with their gender identities".
Transgender women will be banned from competing in British Cycling’s competitive women’s events in changes that will see the men’s category become an open one.
The new policy change ends the hopes of transgender cyclist Emily Bridges of competing in women's competitions.
It is 14 months since the 22-year-old was barred from competing in her first women's event in Derby - when she was due to face five-time Olympic champion Dame Laura Kenny - after cycling's world governing body ruled she was not eligible to racebecause she was still registered as a male cyclist.
Image:Emily Bridges will be affected by the policy. Pic: AP
Today's policy announcement, which is set to take effect by the end of the year, only covers British Cycling events.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling's world governing body, is yet to announce a new transgender eligibility position.
British Cycling apologised for the "uncertainty and upset that many have felt" since their transgender and non-binary participation policy was suspended in April 2022 to carry out research and consultation.
Asked if the new policy is discriminatory, British Cycling chief Jon Dutton told Sky News: "We have taken a view that this is absolutely about being inclusive for all.
"We've created a new open category that anyone has the ability to ride in and also a non-competitive policy that is absolutely inclusive and accessible.
"We will not tolerate any form of discrimination in moving forward with this policy.
"And it's really important that we support, we empathise, we are compassionate to the riders that are affected by this policy change."
British Cycling said the female category will be for those riders whose sex was assigned female at birth and transgender men who are yet to begin hormone therapy.
Bridges, who set a national junior men's record over 25 miles in 2018, came out as a transgender woman in October 2020 and began hormone therapy last year to reduce her testosterone levels.
She posted a statement on Instagram following the British Cycling announcement.
She hit out at the organisation for the ban, saying it doesn't care "about making sport more diverse".
Addressing British Cycling directly, she added: "Cycling is still one of the whitest, straightest sports out there, and you couldn't care less."
She added: "I agree that there needs to be a nuanced policy discussion and continue to conduct research, but this hasn't happened. Research isn't being viewed critically, or any discussion about the relevance of the data to specific sports."
Mr Dutton said: "Emily, and a number of athletes are clearly affected by this policy.
"But what we wanted to provide at this point in time is clarity on the direction of travel.
"The decision that we've made on behalf of British Cycling is for the whole of the cycling community."
British Cycling is emulating British Triathlon, which announced plans last year for an "open category" for men, transgender women and non-binary athletes.
International athletics and swimming governing bodies have banned athletes who underwent male puberty from competing in international women's events.
Mr Dutton said: "It is very difficult. It's divisive. It's emotive. It's affecting human beings. And we absolutely fully understand and appreciate that. So it has been a difficult process."
Cycling's global governing body is reviewing its rules after negativity provoked by Austin Killips, who is a transgender woman, winning the Tour of the Gila stage race in a women's race in New Mexico last month.
Police investigating disappearance of Madeleine McCann ‘to search reservoir’
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The prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann search, Christian Brueckner, is said to have visited the Portugal reservoir “some days” after her disappearance, a source close to the investigation has revealed.
It comes as divers searching for Madeleine prepare to enter the reservoir in the Algarve for the third day.
German detectives were informed by a “very credible source” who knew the suspect, The Telegraph reported.
The Barragem do Arade is around 31 miles from the Praia da Luz resort where Maddy disappeared. Investigators believe the 45-year-old killed Madeleine, then aged three, after abducting her from a holiday apartment.
On Tuesday, officers acting on “credible information” were said to be seeking any fragments of clothing and old rags that could be related to her disappearance, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The development comes just 10 days after Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, issued a tribute on their Leicestershire-born daughter’s 20th birthday, telling her: “We love you and we’re waiting for you. We’re never going to give up.”
Key suspect Christian Brueckner visited reservoir ‘days after disappearance’
The prime suspect in the search, Christian Brueckner, is said to have visited the Algarve reservoir “some days” after Madeleine disappeared, a source close to the investigation revealed.
German detectives were informed by a “very credible source” who knew the suspect, The Telegraph reported.
The Barragem do Arade is around 31 miles from the Praia da Luz resort where Maddy disappeared.
Who is Christian Brueckner? Madeleine McCann suspect and the accusations against him
German prisoner Christian Brueckner was first named in connection with the unsolved mystery that summer, and officially named as a suspect last year. His yellow and white VW T3 Westfalia campervan was reportedly identified as having been near to the Praia da Luz resort in Portugal where the young girl went missing on May 3, 2007.
ICYMI: Sniffer dogs and pickaxes used by police in fresh Madeleine McCann searches
Police have combed the banks of a reservoir in Portugal with the help of sniffer dogs, rakes and pickaxes as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Emergency service divers were seen on a rigid-hull inflatable boat early on Tuesday morning at the Barragem do Arade – around 30 miles from Praia da Luz, where the three-year-old went missing in 2007.
Officers concentrated their search at one area of the reservoir – erecting white tents on a hill on the banks.
Further around the water, emergency services and officials from Portugal, Germany and the UK were seen holding briefings near blue police tents.
In the search area, uniformed and plain-clothed officers spent a number of hours scouring the banks – hammering away at the ground with pickaxes and combing through small rocks with rakes and spades.
Madeleine McCann police searching Portuguese lake ‘for her pink pyjamas’
Police are searching a Portuguese lake for the pink pyjamas Madeleine McCann was wearing when she vanished in 2007, sources close to the investigation have said.
Officers are searching the Barragem do Arade reservoir in Portugal for any fragments of clothing or old rags that could be related to Madeleine’s disappearance, according to reports.
Investigators suspect that 45-year-old German prisoner Christian Brueckner killed Madeleine, then aged three, after abducting her from a holiday apartment.
Madeleine McCann case: Timeline of the missing child’s disappearance
Kate and Gerry McCann’s eldest daughter vanished from a Portuguese holiday resort 16 years ago but the emergence of a new suspect has brought fresh hope of answers and closure:
Watch live: Police scour reservoir for second day in Madeleine McCann search
Watch live as police search a reservoir in Portugal for a second day on Wednesday, 23 May, in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Portuguese authorities, assisted by German police, set up tents an area near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, around 50km (31 miles) from where the toddler went missing aged three in Praia da Luz in 2007.
Searches are being conducted at the request of German police in the presence of British officers.
Madeleine McCann reservoir search: What do we know about Portugal’s Barragem do Arade?
Ms McCann, from Rothley, Leicestershire, was just three years old when she went missing from an apartment complex at the Ocean Club holiday resort of Praia da Luz in the municipality of Lagos on 3 May 2007.
Her case remains unsolved and is still the subject of intense public and press interest.
Her parents, doctors Gerry and Kate McCann, continue to campaign for her return and recently posted a poem remembering her on their Find Madeleine website, reminding readers that she is “still missing ... still very much missed”.
They added: “The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough. Thank you to everyone for your support – it really helps.”
German prosecutor says they have strong ‘indications’ reservoir is important for investigation
Christian Wolters, the Braunschweig prosecutor, said the search of the reservoir was based on very strong “indications” that the site was important.
In an interview with German public service broadcaster NDR, he said: “We have indications that we could find evidence there. I don’t want to say what that is exactly, and I also don’t want to say where these indications came from.
“The only thing that I would clarify is that it doesn’t come from the suspect. So, we don’t have a confession or anything similar now, or an indication from the suspect of where it would make sense to search.
“It was other indications that prompted us to conduct the search.”
Net migration has increased to a record level of more than 600,000 despite promises from ministers over four years to bring the total to below 245,000.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show overall migration for 2022 was 606,000, which represents a 20% increase on the previous high of 504,000 last year.
The rise has been fuelled by people entering the UK to study, work or escape conflict or oppression.
Ministers have been braced for the figure for several weeks. It is particularly embarrassing for the arch Brexiters Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman, who argued that leaving the EU would allow them to take control of UK borders.
The pre-Brexit average of net migration was between 200,000 and 250,000 a year. Braverman last year said she aimed to reduce overall migration to “tens of thousands” and Sunak has previously stuck to Boris Johnson’s 2019 pledge to bring down the overall figures to below 245,000. This week he has declined to give a specific target.
Immigration, via regular routes such as visa schemes and irregular routes such as across the Channel in small boats, will be a significant political battleground at the general election expected next year.
Sunak this week claimed the government’s new crackdown on foreign students – barring them from bringing in dependants or switching to work visas before completing their studies, and also reviewing their maintenance requirements – was the “biggest ever single measure” to tackle legal immigration.
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, on Wednesday announced his party would scrap a rule under which overseas staff brought into the UK to fill vacancies on the shortage occupation list, including health, IT and engineering workers, could be paid up to 20% less than the equivalent domestic wage.
The surge in net migration – the number of people entering the country minus those leaving – will result in demands from Conservative MPs to go further to meet their 2019 manifesto pledge.
Although ministers claim a crackdown on students would have a “tangible” effect on net migration, their own forecasts acknowledged that net migration would still be about 500,000 by the time of the next election, due at the end of 2024.
They admitted net migration would only fall to pre-pandemic levels of between 200,000 and 300,000 in the medium term, defined by the Home Office as five years.
Overseas students and their dependants have been one of the biggest drivers of immigration, increasing by 76% from 354,900 in 2018 to 626,600 in 2022.
Work visas have increased from 162,588 to 345,451 in the year ending March 2023. Other visas including humanitarian schemes for Ukrainians, Afghans and Syrians have also soared from 51,031 to 265,270 in the same period.
No 10 has so far rejected further measures proposed by Braverman to scale back the two-year graduate visa to only six months, as well as raise the salary thresholds to restrict the number of foreign skilled workers who can come to Britain.
She has been locked in a battle over net migration numbers with cabinet colleagues including the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, and the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, over work visas.
Braverman’s rivals in the Conservative party say she is using the issue of immigration to position herself to take over from Sunak. Braverman, who has been dogged by scandals, has stated public support for Sunak.
