Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has called on the Government to ensure that greater efficiency is brought to the process of issuing passports during Questions to the Home Office on Monday.
Over recent months, HM Passport Office (HMPO) has seen the highest rate of applications for passports in over 12 years. Despite robust efforts to manage the increased demand, many citizens have faced delays in receiving their passports. Caroline commended the hard work being done by HMPO to ensure that holidaymakers receive their passports in time for the summer season.
She asked:
"It's important that long-term lessons are drawn from the review of operating procedure, will the Minister assure the House that there will be a focus on improving efficiency and ensuring customer service is at the heart of all HMPO activities in the future?"
Responding on behalf of the Government, the Minister for Security and Immigration, James Brokenshire MP, said:
"I think my Honourable Friend makes an important point around the focus on customers, the focus on improving the processes further. I think that there is a real focus that will be given to this once we have managed this period of excessive demand, indeed looking at the forecasting, we are bringing in the Home Office's scientific lead to examine those projections as well as ensuring that where there are changes that can be made to improve performance they will be done."
Speaking outside the Chamber, Caroline said:
"With the summer holidays fast approaching, I am sure that many local people have been concerned by the delays in the issuing of passports and I am pleased that the Government is taking decisive action to help prevent these issues from arising again in the future."