Passengers arriving at all UK airports could soon be able to pay to skip passport control queues under a controversial new Government scheme.

According to reports, the fast-track service would cost between £5 and £17.50 per person, and be available at airports throughout the country. The Home Office has said that passengers at Gatwick Airport will be charged £17.50 to use a fast lane through passport control on arrival and through security on departure.

Staff unions have branded the idea a “gimmick”, and called for increased staffing for UK border control instead.

Home Office officials confirmed that they were collaborating with some airport managements to deliver the scheme, but denied that it will be offered in every UK airport, and that the minimum charge will be £5.

The news has raised concerns that passengers who are not willing to pay may be left waiting in longer delays than before, as staff are assigned to the fast-track lanes and the ‘regular’ lanes become short-staffed.

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A spokesperson for the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said the scheme would exacerbate problems with short-staffing: “This is a ridiculous idea that exposes just how understaffed our borders are. What happens if everyone opts to pay £5? We’re back to square one.

“Instead of gimmicks like this, the Government needs to properly invest in staff to work at ports and airports because the shortages are there for all to see.”

Many UK airports – including Manchester, Edinburgh, Heathrow, Stansted and Liverpool – already offer fast-track security clearance, in the region of £5 per person.

Telegraph Travel’s consumer expert Nick Trend has condemned the plans for a widespread service: “This confirms a growing trend of airports charging for services which should be efficient and free.

“Many airports already offer the option of paying for fast-track security. The risk from the consumer point of view is that airports deliberately allow the queues to build up so that frustrated passengers feel the only way to have a decent experience of the airport is to pay more for the privilege.

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“Instead of taking advantage of their customers like this, airports should be given targets to ensure that queues are kept to a reasonable length.”

Mark Gibbin, the leader of the ISU union for border and customs staff, said in a statement to members that short-staffed border controls are a “serious” problem: “Managers are under severe pressure to contain queues, creating still more pressure for frontline staff. It’s only a matter of time before serious public disorder and, who knows, even mass breach of the border.”