There is no backlog in passport processing as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we are now seeing unprecedented demand as more than 5 million people delayed applying for passports during COVID-19 because of restrictions in international travel. Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) anticipate 9.5 million British passport applications will be made this year and in March 2022 alone, HMPO processed more than one million new passport applications, the highest output on record.

In preparation for the demand for international travel returning, since April 2021 HMPO have been advising people to allow up to 10 weeks when applying for their British passport. This remains the case.

The vast majority of all passport applications are being dealt with well within 10 weeks. However, a passport can only be issued once all the checks have been completed satisfactorily and will take longer if applications are submitted with missing or incomplete information.

What is HMPO doing to meet this increased demand?

HMPO have prepared extensively for this surge in demand and have increased capacity – people and systems – across all elements of the production process. The priority is to ensure we can continue to process as many passport applications as possible.

To do this:

• we have increased staff numbers by 500 since April 2021 and are in the process of recruiting another 700. In total, as of 1 April 2022 there are over 4,000 staff in passport production roles – this has helped us to handle more applications than ever before
• additional staff are being recruited to assist with customer queries on the Passport Adviceline which is currently run by Teleperformance
• we have onboarded more delivery companies to ensure passports and supporting documents are delivered on time to customers
• we have increased availability for fast-track appointments and extended working hours across the 7 HMPO public counters – new appointments are released daily, 3 weeks in advance

What can customers do to ensure there are no delays?

We urge 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. We do offer urgent services for applicants who need a passport more quickly. 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 10 weeks before they are due to travel.

And it is important to stress, you should not book travel until you have a valid passport – your new passport will not have the same passport number as your old one.

Are HMPO staff working from home and is this affecting output?

Our dedicated staff are working tirelessly to deal with this unprecedented demand. Working from home has no impact on HMPO’s capacity to process passport applications.

Where you can go for more help?

We advise customers to call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000 if they have a query relating to their specific passport application.

Photo guidance: Get a passport photo: Digital photos

General guidance: Apply online for a UK passport

Customers can track the progress of their passport application online at: Track your passport application

Further details about our urgent services, available from all of HMPO’s 7 public counters across the UK

The commissioner heard that the nominal transport manager, Alan Austin, never had a contract with the operator, and had not received any payment for his services. Nor had he performed any of the duties and responsibilities of a transport manager, continually failing to download tachograph data, failing to ensure that vehicles were given safety inspections at the stated six-week intervals, failing to ensure that brake tests were carried out and failing to ensure that the safety inspection records were completed correctly. By remaining on the licence as a transport manager he had enabled the operator to display the outward sign of professional competence when in reality no such professional competence existed.

The operator was found to lack professional competence since 2007, as ever since then it has not had a contract with its supposed transport manager, had not paid that transport manager and that transport manager has failed to carry out any transport manager functions. Maintenance practices appeared stuck in the 1970s and do not reflect modern day requirements. There was a complete lack of drivers’ hours supervision, and the transport manager did not understand the need to check driver entitlement, as Mr Northwood was “a friend”.

The commissioner said “In the end I cannot ignore the fact that he [Mr Northwood] has in essence operated without a functioning transport manager for many years, thereby gaining an unfair competitive advantage over those operators who bear the cost of professional competence.

“Mr Austin’s good repute cannot possibly survive such negligence and deception. I find that his good repute is lost and I am thus obliged to disqualify him from acting as a transport manager under any operator’s licence. Mr Austin’s ignorance of the role of a modern-day transport manager is such that the mere passage of time will not suffice for him to re-establish his repute.”

Further details can be found here.

This statement provides an update on the AAIB investigation into an accident involving a Piper PA-46-350P (MODIFIED), registration G-HYZA, near Cranfield Airport on 29 April 2021.

G-HYZA was an electrically powered aircraft which was undertaking experimental flight tests, under E Conditions, Civil Aviation Publication 1220, when power to the electrical motors was lost. The loss of power occurred when, as part of the test procedure, the battery was selected OFF leaving the electrical motors powered by the hydrogen fuel cell.

A forced landing was carried out close to Cranfield Airport during which the aircraft was severely damaged. The draft report has been disseminated for consultation. Publication of the report is expected mid 2022.