As hundreds of people complain about lengthy waits for a new or first-time passport, a travel expert has issued some advice that come save holidaymakers time and money.
Lots of Brits are looking to get away for a bit of a break after being cooped up during the coronavirus pandemic. However, after many people delayed applying for passports, the Government has warned of a huge backlog causing delays ahead of the summer.
Prior to the covid pandemic, people were advised of waits of around three weeks. The Home Office said recently people may wait up to 10 weeks for theirs to arrive.
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Home Office minister Kevin Foster told MPs on Tuesday that the Government had no intention of letting this 10-week processing time slide further. But the Commons heard of one woman who has waited more than five months to receive her daughter's new passport, with services branded "either really very good or an absolute shambles".
Travel expert Simon Calder has issued some advice to travellers, and particularly those with children. He took to Twitter on Tuesday to help people "save unnecessary applications".
Simon said: "Passports. To save unnecessary applications:
"1 For travel to Ireland, British people do not need a passport (except if flying Ryanair).
"2 ALL children's passports meet the "issued under 10 years ago" test for the EU. The only test: will it have 3 months left on the day of return?"
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