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Passport Office announces emergency measures to deal with backlog Passport Office announces emergency measures to deal with backlog
(about 14 hours later)
Emergency measures to tackle the backlog crisis at the Passport Office were announced by the home secretary on Thursday as another leak disclosed that applications being processed this week were first received 10 weeks ago.Emergency measures to tackle the backlog crisis at the Passport Office were announced by the home secretary on Thursday as another leak disclosed that applications being processed this week were first received 10 weeks ago.
Theresa May told the House of Commons that the fast-tracking fee for applications have been dropped and that people renewing UK passports from overseas will be given a 12-month extension to their existing passports. Those applying for passports overseas on behalf of their children will be given emergency travel documents, she added. Theresa May told the House of Commons that the fast-tracking fees for applications have been dropped and that people renewing UK passports from overseas will be given a 12-month extension to their existing passports. Those applying for passports overseas on behalf of their children will be given emergency travel documents, she added.
Two days ago, May denied there was a backlog, but the government has changed its approach in an attempt to calm the growing anger among the public.Two days ago, May denied there was a backlog, but the government has changed its approach in an attempt to calm the growing anger among the public.
On Wednesday night, the Guardian revealed that managers had cut security checks on overseas applicants. Ministers said they had not been informed of the plans, which were immediately cancelled.On Wednesday night, the Guardian revealed that managers had cut security checks on overseas applicants. Ministers said they had not been informed of the plans, which were immediately cancelled.
Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, accused May of presiding over a "sorry shambles" and called on her to apologise to the thousands of people whose travel plans had been thrown into doubt.Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, accused May of presiding over a "sorry shambles" and called on her to apologise to the thousands of people whose travel plans had been thrown into doubt.
The home secretary said she was considering stripping the Passport Office of its agency status and bringing it under the direct control of the Home Office. She also announced an increase in the number of examiners and call handlers by a further 200 on top of the 900 staff already reassigned to deal with the applications.The home secretary said she was considering stripping the Passport Office of its agency status and bringing it under the direct control of the Home Office. She also announced an increase in the number of examiners and call handlers by a further 200 on top of the 900 staff already reassigned to deal with the applications.
Meanwhile, a new leak has given a first glimpse into the scale of the problem awaiting the staff who have been drafted in. Employees at the Passport Office in Liverpool, one of seven centres in Britain, were told on Tuesday that passport workers were processing first-time applications for passports from overseas dating back to 31 March.Meanwhile, a new leak has given a first glimpse into the scale of the problem awaiting the staff who have been drafted in. Employees at the Passport Office in Liverpool, one of seven centres in Britain, were told on Tuesday that passport workers were processing first-time applications for passports from overseas dating back to 31 March.
The applications for renewals of UK passports from people living overseas that were opened this week date back to 29 April. The delay in opening applications for renewals from UK residents dated back only to 21 May. Staff have been working through the backlog in chronological order, oldest first.The applications for renewals of UK passports from people living overseas that were opened this week date back to 29 April. The delay in opening applications for renewals from UK residents dated back only to 21 May. Staff have been working through the backlog in chronological order, oldest first.
The same staff were also told that Hong Kong applications have been given their own category, and are, according to a source, suffering particularly long delays. On Tuesday, staff had begun examining applications from the former British territory which date from 23 April. There are an estimated 3.5 million British or British National (Overseas) passport holders in Hong Kong, according to consular officials. The Passport Office has ordered an inquiry into photographs leaked to the Guardian which showed hundreds of files full of passport applications stacked in a room usually used for meetings.The same staff were also told that Hong Kong applications have been given their own category, and are, according to a source, suffering particularly long delays. On Tuesday, staff had begun examining applications from the former British territory which date from 23 April. There are an estimated 3.5 million British or British National (Overseas) passport holders in Hong Kong, according to consular officials. The Passport Office has ordered an inquiry into photographs leaked to the Guardian which showed hundreds of files full of passport applications stacked in a room usually used for meetings.
The photographs, taken in a conference room in the Passport Office centre in Liverpool, were published just as the agency's chief executive, Paul Pugh, was denying allegations of a backlog. A day after their publication, David Cameron admitted for the first time that there was a problem at the Passport Office.The photographs, taken in a conference room in the Passport Office centre in Liverpool, were published just as the agency's chief executive, Paul Pugh, was denying allegations of a backlog. A day after their publication, David Cameron admitted for the first time that there was a problem at the Passport Office.
Andy Bannon, a Passport Office security liaison officer, sent a letter to staff on Wednesday saying: "This is being viewed as a serious security breach and I have notified the internal investigations team accordingly. They will be making a full investigation and if there is clear evidence linking a member of HMPO, Steria or our contracted staff to the breach, formal misconduct procedures will be considered," he wrote.Andy Bannon, a Passport Office security liaison officer, sent a letter to staff on Wednesday saying: "This is being viewed as a serious security breach and I have notified the internal investigations team accordingly. They will be making a full investigation and if there is clear evidence linking a member of HMPO, Steria or our contracted staff to the breach, formal misconduct procedures will be considered," he wrote.
The move has been described as heavy-handed, a waste of money and against the public interest by MPs and union officials.The move has been described as heavy-handed, a waste of money and against the public interest by MPs and union officials.
On Thursday night May's permanent secretary, Mark Sidwell, cancelled the department's annual Home Office Excellence Awards in light of the scandal. A Home Office spokesman said the department would not comment on leaked information.On Thursday night May's permanent secretary, Mark Sidwell, cancelled the department's annual Home Office Excellence Awards in light of the scandal. A Home Office spokesman said the department would not comment on leaked information.