Holidaymakers in Gedling borough are being warned to allow 10 weeks for new passports if they are planning to travel abroad this summer.
The Home Office is said to be planning to keep the 10-week deadline introduced during the pandemic in place due to an “elevated” and “volatile” demand for travel documents.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Home Secretary Suella Braverman reportedly told MPs: “We expect elevated demand for passports throughout the year – and demand can be volatile – so customers should continue to allow 10 weeks. I urge people to apply in good time and not at the last minute.”
News of the extended lengthy waiting period for passports has come amid the first time in five years that the price of British passports have risen.
As of last Thursday, (February 2), the cost of applying for a new British passport online rose from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults, and £49 to £53.50 for children.
Postal applications for passports will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children.
The UK Government’s web page states the increase in price will “help enable the Government to continue improving its services” and said that it “does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications”.
Recent figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats by submitting parliamentary questions which were shared with the Telegraph said the number of passports lost by the Home Office was at a five-year high.
The Lib Dem MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, told the paper: “These are new heights of incompetence for the Home Office. British travellers who urgently need new passports are being left high and dry by these endless delays.
“The Home Office needs to step up and take decisive action before more people are let down and lose confidence in these services.”
The Home Office added that the proposals are subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
