Figures show the number of valid UK passports fell by more than 2.5 million during the first two calendar years of the pandemic (Yau Ming Low/Alamy Stock Photo/PA)
Downing Street has stepped up the pressure on Passport Office chiefs to clear major delays in applications which have left millions fearing travel chaos this summer.
Cabinet Office Minister Steve Barclay discussed the crisis with bosses from the Passport Office last week amid concerns that the service is struggling to handle a surge in applications following the Covid-19 pandemic.
