Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to increase levels of staffing at HM Passport Office to help tackle the backlog of applications following the covid-19 outbreak.
His Majesty’s Passport Office has added 1200 additional staff since April 2021. The increase in staffing delivers against both the capacity plan for this year, and in preparation for 2023. These staff have helped to process passport applications in record numbers, and recruitment will continue to ensure that attrition is covered so that it remains fully resourced.