Urgent warning for people who need passport renewing this summer
If you're in need of a passport before the summer, you might want to get your application sent off pronto.
Passport workers have gone on strike today (3 April), kicking off a five-week walk-out over job, pay, and pension conditions.
And while the government has said that it believes it has the capacity to keep things going, holidaymakers have been warned about 'huge delays'.
This means if you're hoping of jetting off anytime soon but your passport isn't up to date, you could be in trouble.
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Speaking to Sky News, Mark Serwokta, from the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, warned the strikes will have a major impact on processing of new applications.
He said: "There will be huge delays in the already 10 weeks that people are supposed to apply for passports, and there will be huge disruption on the fast-track service.
"The government says it has got contingency measures in place so we’ll see how that works out over the next few days and weeks, but I would expect there to be delays."
However, despite the union's general sec's predictions, the government said that while there has been a 'temporary increase' in applications since news of the strike was announced, there shouldn't been any delays.
The Home Office claimed that the advised 10-week wait time has not changed, and there are no plans to do so.
A spokesperson for the body told the BBC: "The number of passport applications remains close to forecasted volumes.
"There are currently no plans to change our guidance which states that it takes up to 10 weeks to get a passport."
The walk-out is set to last into 5 May, and if you're desperately in need of an up-to-date passport ASAP, there are a couple of options.
Firstly, there is the one-week Fast Track, which allows you to get a new passport delivered to your house - or you can pack it up - in, you guessed it, just a week.
But while the standard passport will set you back £82.50 for an online renewal, or £93 if you apply using a paper form, a speedy application is priced at £155 for an adult and £126 for a child.
If a week is still not quick enough, though, you can also opt for the Online Premium service, which will cost you £193.50 and allows you to pick your passport up on the day of your appointment. The fastest you can get an appointment is within two days of applying for one.
However, it's probably worth noting that both of these services appear not to be available right now due to the sheer demand, so it's worth keeping an eye on the site if either of them open again.
Those who need to travel out of the country for health reasons, such as treatment, can apply for an urgent passport on compassionate grounds.
Dominic Smithers