PASSPORT WARNING

The UK Passport Office has issued a warning to holidaymakers in need of updated travel documents to expect a 10-week turnaround time on applications.

The government department said the longer processing time was a result of more than 5 million people delaying passport renewals during the pandemic, leading to a pre-summer surge.

Abi Tierney, director general of HM Passport Office, said: “Now that international travel has resumed, we know people will be looking at going away on holiday, and yet many are leaving applying for a passport too late.

“The summer holidays are fast approaching so if you need a new passport, we urge you to apply now. Our dedicated staff are working tirelessly to ensure that passport applications are processed as quickly as possible.”