MPs call for passport extensions to beat backlog

Travellers whose journeys are jeopardised because their passports are about to expire could soon win a reprieve.

- SIMON CALDER

MPs on the home affairs select committee have asked the home secretary to "examine the feasibility of offering an emergency service for passport extensions".

Dame Diana Johnson, the Labour chair, wrote to Priti Patel after the committee investigated delays in issuing passports.

An estimated 55,000 passport applications have been in the HM Passport Office system for more than 10 weeks, the deadline stipulated for delivery.

The committee suggests an extension of up to six months could be applied to existing passports for people travelling within the next week "on the condition they physically attend a passport office and could be subject to an additional fee".