As of 2010 most UK passports have biometrics in them. Not strictly routine but many are likely to have them.
> The EU has set minimum standards for passports which include the use of facial and fingerprint biometrics. The UK is not covered by these regulations and fingerprint biometrics are not included in UK passports.
https://unlock.org.uk/advice/information-contained-on-uk-pas...
https://unlock.org.uk/advice/information-contained-on-uk-pas...
> The International Civil Aviation Organisation recommendations for biometric standards include a digitised photograph embedded on a chip in the passport. Countries wishing to stay in the US Visa Waiver programme have had to start issuing biometric passports in line with these international recommendations.
The UK passport contains a digitised photograph which meets the ICAO requirement and is therefore valid for entry into the US without a visa.
> The EU has set minimum standards for passports which include the use of facial and fingerprint biometrics. The UK is not covered by these regulations and fingerprint biometrics are not included in UK passports.
The UK passport does not contain fingerprints. This is one of the opt-outs the UK received when it was in the EU.
That, I can believe.