Originally Posted by
dougzz
The UK does this for financial reasons. Automate everything possible to save on the cost of a border officer.
But if that really is the reason, then having a nice looong queue for EU travellers entering the UK should go a little to beginning the talks on reciprocity. I don't see US immigration adding extra staff for non-US passport holders (not that it matters atm!) and I don't see EU border staff being added either.