UK Passport Backlog

[Basil B]

Passport renewals may be delayed.

Passport Office plans to relax security checks on applications from overseas have been blocked by ministers, as staff tackle a major backlog of cases.

Leaked documents suggest passport officials wanted to ease rules on the supporting evidence that UK nationals living abroad have to provide, where it did not compromise security.

The Home Office said it was "unaware" of the proposed change and the guidelines had now been withdrawn.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27806441

[Basil B]

Update, Thresa May in Panic Mode.

Home Secretary Theresa May has announced measures to help clear the backlog in passport applications - and scrapped charges for urgent renewals.

People renewing their UK passports from overseas will be given a 12 month extension to their existing passport.

Those applying for passports overseas on behalf of their children will be given emergency travel documents.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27806441

[rajyindee]

Update, Thresa May in Panic Mode.

Home Secretary Theresa May has announced measures to help clear the backlog in passport applications - and scrapped charges for urgent renewals.

People renewing their UK passports from overseas will be given a 12 month extension to their existing passport.

Those applying for passports overseas on behalf of their children will be given emergency travel documents.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27806441

That'll work well for those renewing because their passport is full.

[bobrussell]

Strangely the spokesman on the Today programme yesterday, was adamant there was no backlog and that numbers waiting in the system were as expected. Targets apparently were being met!

How things can change in a few hours!

Edited June 12, 2014 by bobrussell

[Basil B]

I think heads are going to roll...

In the mean time it is "May & Cooper, Hand Bags at Dawn" in the house.

But on a serious note this will effect many on this forum.

[samran]

I've lived in Australia, the UK and Thailand.

Hands down the worst bureacracy?

UK. By a country mile.

[NanLaew]

I think heads are going to roll...

In the mean time it is "May & Cooper, Hand Bags at Dawn" in the house.

But on a serious note this will effect many on this forum.

Surprised that some have missed the 61 page thread... maybe because it is fundamentally in the wrong place.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713867-changes-to-british-passport-services-in-thailand/page-61

[durhamboy]

Another Home Office shambles! These people do not live in the real world!