HARD PASS
Passport warning – families needing renewals told NOT to book holidays
FAMILIES are being urged not to book their holiday until they have a new passport.
As many as 9.5 million passport applications are expected to be made this year, after millions expired during the pandemic.
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This had led to many families waiting much longer than the recommended 5-6 weeks to get their passports back.
The government has since warned that Brits should not book holidays until they have their passports back - as they have different numbers.
The website states: "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."
The Home Office has also warned Brits to leave more than the recommended 10 weeks to get their passports back due to the huge demand.
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The website says: "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."
While they also add that they have hired more staff and launched more fast track appointments, many families have still been forced to cancel or move their holidays due to the delays.
One woman told Sun Online Travel how she had to miss her £3,000 Spanish holiday with her family due to the passport backlog.
A heartbroken aunt had said her family's £10k holiday to Menorca faces being ruined as her five-year-old niece's passport still hasn't arrived.
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And another couple could be forced to cancel their £40,000 wedding thanks to the continued chaos.
And a Passport Office worker has warned that application delays are only going to get WORSE this summer.
A passport worker, who remained anonymous, told that the delays are only "going to get worse" this summer, adding the current delays are the "tip of the iceberg" of problems.
They explained that it was because the current system for passport applications is not "fit for purpose".
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They also said that the major issue was staffing, saying: "They were trying to hire 1,700 staff but they haven’t realised anything like that number, because they can’t get the staff.
"It’s difficult to recruit on low wages and temporary contracts.”
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