HM Passport Office Backlogs Debate

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Department: Home Office

HM Passport Office Backlogs

Paul Bristow Excerpts
Wednesday 27th April 2022

(2 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kevin Foster Portrait Kevin Foster
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I am very sorry to hear of the death in that family. Absolutely, given the circumstances of travel, I am happy to liaise with the hon. Member and see if we can get the application expedited.

Paul Bristow Portrait Paul Bristow (Peterborough) (Con)
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There is undoubtedly a sense of frustration at the length of time it is taking to process passport applications, but we must not forget that those working in the passport offices, in Peterborough and elsewhere, are working extremely hard. Will my hon. Friend take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Peterborough passport office for all their hard work and reassure them that their efforts are appreciated?

Kevin Foster Portrait Kevin Foster
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I thank my hon. Friend for those comments. The efforts of the team at the Peterborough passport office are certainly much appreciated. As I have touched on several times, we saw record output last month, with over 1 million passports dealt with in just one month, whereas normally we deal with 7 million across a whole year. Many in those teams are working over the weekends to get through the applications. I am very happy to pass on my hon. Friend’s thanks, and I am sure that the staff in the Peterborough passport office very much appreciate his support.