Thousands of passport office workers have gone on strike today over staff numbers and issues with pay.
The staff shortages are reported to be the reason behind the serious backlog in processing applications which led to extra staff being drafted in and the home secretary Theresa May apologising to those affected.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) said the action was a “bid to end staffing shortages that have caused the ongoing backlog crisis,” the BBC reports.
Figures from the Home Office suggest 360,000 passports are being processed; however, it isn’t known how many are overdue.
The Home Office criticised the timing of the strike, saying it could affect people’s summer holidays.
“We are disappointed the PCS leadership has called this strike given that HMPO has been in discussions with the union on their issues of concern,” a spokeswoman said.
“Holding a strike at this stage is irresponsible and will only inconvenience our customers and jeopardise their holidays.
“We strongly urge PCS to reconsider this action which is not in the interests of staff or the general public they are dedicated to serving.
“HM Passport Office staff know how important it is to hard-working people and their families to receive their passports in time for their summer holidays. They have shown this through their hard work and commitment during this exceptional period of high demand.”
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “The staffing crisis in the Passport Office has been obvious for everyone to see and it shouldn’t have taken a committee of MPs to force the chief executive to meet us to discuss it.
“We are still a long way off getting a commitment from the agency that it will work with us to put the proper resources in place to ensure these backlogs do not reoccur year after year.”