BBC News Published image copyrightPA Media A new border scheme requiring visitors to apply for an electronic permit will make the UK safer, Home Secretary Priti Patel has said. She also argued it will make it easier to count those coming to the UK. Under the plan, non-citizens without a visa or immigration status will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before coming to the UK. But Labour accused the government of "incompetence" over immigration. The Home Office says the new system would allow automated and early security checks to take place to stop foreign criminals arriving in the country, with applicants only allowed to travel once they have been cleared.