A warning has been issued by the Government about 'unprecedented' delays for those looking to renew their passports in the UK.
One couple told The Guardian how they face having to cancel their wedding because of continued delays at the Passport Office. A passport worker revealed an insider account to iNews of the chaotic backlog of renewals that have left overstretched staff “panicked” and racing to keep up with a “never-ending” workload.
The Government office has insisted the backlog in passport processing is unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic but instead due to unprecedented demand in a new update on Friday (April 29). More the five million people have been delayed applying for passports due to Covid-19 because of restrictions on international travel, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) has said.
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It anticipates 9.5 million British passport applications will be made this year. In March 2022 alone, HMPO processed more than one million new passport applications, which was their highest output on record.
The Government continues to advise that people allow up to ten weeks when applying for a British passport before travelling abroad. It has said the vast majority of all passport applications are being dealt with well within the ten week period.
However, HMPO explained that a passport can only be issued once all the checks have been completed satisfactorily. This will take longer if applications are submitted with missing or incomplete information.
If you would like passport advice, or to make a complaint, you should follow this link. There is also an option to speak to advisor online using web chat.
Reports claim Boris Johnson has threatened to “privatise the arse” off the Passport Office, DVLA and other “arms-length” public bodies unless they start delivering better services. The Prime Minister also pledged to increase scrutiny of the “post-Covid mañana culture” at some public bodies which have come in for criticism for failing to abandon working practices introduced during the crisis, according to the Evening Standard.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper asked the Commons "when will the Prime Minster get a grip" on passport delays. On Twitter, she said: "Families forced to cancel hard earned holidays, couples forced to abandon honeymoons, people giving up visits to loved ones due to long passport delays & another shambolic failure by Home Office Ministers to plan."
Have you faced long delays applying for a new passport? Let us know in the comments section
The Government body has increased staff numbers by 500 since April 2021 and is in the process of recruiting another 700 to cope with the demand. "The priority is to ensure we can continue to process as many passport applications as possible," it said in a statement.
It has said additional staff are being recruited to assist with customer queries on the Passport Adviceline. Elsewhere, it has onboarded more delivery companies and increased the availability of fast-track appointments.
How to prevent delays to new passport
HMPO has urged people who need a new passport to apply for one as soon as possible to ensure their passport arrives in time for the peak summer season. Urgent services for applicants who need a passport more quickly. are available, however, in busy periods these are booked quickly.
Customers can also help to ensure there are no delays with their application, such as using a high-quality photo with a digital code, applying online and applying for a new passport more than ten weeks before they are due to travel.
HMPO has stressed the importance that travellers should not book travel until they have a valid passport, as the new passport will not have the same passport number as the previous one. There have been no delays to the passport application process due to staff members at HMPO working from home, they added.
It advises people to call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000 if they have a query relating to their specific passport application.
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