Passport warning as Brits are being forced to cancel their holidays due to huge delays

BRITS with holiday plans are being forced to cancel their trips due to delays and mistakes when renewing their passports.

Travellers are warning of long waiting times in getting their passports back as thousands of Brits plan to leave the UK following the easing of Covid restrictions.

The government website states customers should allow up to 10 weeks to receive their passport after submitting their application.

It also says the typical processing times for standard online applications was between five and six weeks for the week ending March 20, 2022.

However, hundreds of furious people have taken to Twitter to say they have been waiting longer than that and have been forced to cancel their holiday because their passport didn't arrive in time, with some being left thousands of pounds out of pocket.

One person wrote: "My daughter has missed her holiday despite the application going in on January 31. Also out of pocket."

Another put: "I still haven't had mine back after over 10 weeks! Due to fly in three weeks."

Someone else wrote: "Renewed seven weeks ago was advised it would come in time. Hours on hold, no call backs."

A fourth tweeted: "Applied with plenty of time - stated 5 weeks at time of application. Had 10 weeks to travel. Looks like £4k holiday will be wasted."

Others are even reporting that mistakes are being made on their passports which has prevented them from going abroad.

Someone wrote: "Paying for two fast track appointments because you made mistakes on both, my 15-year-old cannot go on our holiday tomorrow."

A spokesperson for Her Majesty's Passport Office said: "Due to Covid, over 5m people delayed applying for a British passport throughout 2020 and 2021.

"In preparation for the demand for international travel returning, since April 2021 we have published clear guidance that our customers should allow up to ten weeks to get their passport.

"In busier periods, call waiting times will take longer. However, we continue to work with our supplier to further recruit and support the effort to return response times closer to normal levels."