UK passports: 360,000 Brits waited longer than 10 weeks for a passport this year

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. NAO also warned that the strain on the Passport Office could continue into 2023, urging the department to “prepare for similar levels of demand”, with up to 10 million applications expected. HMPO now expects to complete its transformation in 2024-25.” Head of the NAO, Gareth Davies, said: “HM Passport Office processed a record number of applications amid unprecedented demand. “HMPO must now learn the lessons from this year and prepare for similar levels of demand that are expected in 2023.” A Home Office spokesman said: “The impact of Covid-19 on passport services is not unique to the UK, with passport-issuing authorities across the world having reported challenges for their service. However, we have worked hard to rectify this, and have processed a record number of applications for a British passport in 2022, with over 95% being completed within 10 weeks.” It comes as unprecedented Border Force strikes are announced for the Christmas and New Year period, as members of the PCS union working at six UK airports will walk out in a dispute over pay, pensions and job security.