Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, is urging residents to check the expiry date on their passport and to apply for their passport renewal early amid the spike in current applications.  Due to the pandemic, people have delayed renewing or applying for their passport which has resulted in a backlog of around 5 million applications waiting to be processed at the Her Majesty’s Passport Office.

The York Central MP is assisting a significant number of York residents who have contacted her in despair, many have been due to travel within a few days and not in receipt of a valid passport. The current guidelines on service levels from HMPO have just been extended from 6 weeks to 10 weeks, however the York MP is still receiving pleas of help from residents who have had their application in for far longer and still not had them processed. Currently there are 55,000 passport applications that have been waiting for more than 10 weeks to be processed.

Rachael Maskell MP said: “The staff at HM Passport Office are doing their utmost to ensure that people get their passports returned, however, this is yet another matter where the Government have failed to plan and resource, leaving the public paying the consequences”

I have had dozens of enquiries from constituents who have contacted me for help as they have been due to take their first family holiday in 2 years and not received their passport back.  Thankfully we have been able to intervene and ensure that the vast majority of people have been able to take their long awaited holiday for this year.”

If anyone is needing assistance with their passport application and are due to travel shortly, please contact my office on 01904 623713  or email me at Rachael.maskell.mp@parliament.uk

For many people across York, this summer will be the first time they have travelled abroad for a couple of years due to the pandemic. Please check the expiry date on your passport and if you are planning to travel within the next 6 months, it is advised to submit your application early to avoid the possibility of your application not being processed in time.