People have been booking cheap flights that they don't plan to take in a bid to be bumped up the queue for a new passport. Those applying can ask for an 'upgrade' to priority processing for £102 if they can prove they are flying within 14 days.
However, one expert has warned that HM Passport Office has got wise to the ruse, reports BirminghamLive.
Andy Anderson, who runs the independent Passport Waiting Time website, told the Mail on Sunday: "It’s something I have definitely seen people doing. The Passport Office has started to ask for information about when people booked the flight as they’re getting wise to it.
