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I see there was another debate in the Commons today about the HMPO passport backlog.
Following the previous two in April and May. It makes for a depressing read and you get a sense of how phenomenally widespread the problem really is.
I read through all the April and May debates recently just before I wrote to my MP asking for help.
Kevin Foster (HO Undersecretary) and countless MPs repeatedly mentioned the “MP Hotline”. So I wrote to my MP last week and one of his staff replied that they categorically do not have an MP Hotline, so something’s upside-down here…
I’m flying to Madrid for two days on Sunday 26th June for work. Being self-employed, no work = no pay = also a very pissed-off client, who’s spent thousands on their Team’s flights and hotel rooms. 🙃
It’s the first work I’ve had since Dec 2019 (Covid cancelled all my 2020 work, ill for 18 months since then), so this trip is vital for me to stay something approaching solvent.
I see there was another debate in the Commons today about the HMPO passport backlog.
Following the previous two in April and May. It makes for a depressing read and you get a sense of how phenomenally widespread the problem really is.
I read through all the April and May debates recently just before I wrote to my MP asking for help.
Kevin Foster (HO Undersecretary) and countless MPs repeatedly mentioned the “MP Hotline”. So I wrote to my MP last week and one of his staff replied that they categorically do not have an MP Hotline, so something’s upside-down here…
Your friend who called the helpline and said he needed to travel for urgent/compassionate reasons – I thought that particular team asked for strict evidence for such a thing, and that they’re very particular who they allow through on ‘urgent and compassionate’ grounds, no?
I’ve had to supply medical evidence, and if it’s a relative’s ill health, they can even contact hospitals, doctors etc to verify your loved one’s state of health (which seems a bit Big Brother to me) but that is what people have said they needed to supply, to qualify. I wonder how your friend got through these hoops?
Totally.
One MP – I forget who – said in one of the backlog debates “While the volume of applications is perhaps unprecedented, Ministers cannot, with a shred of credibility, claim that it was in any way unexpected.”
Our Leadership, there…
As strategic as an out of control shopping trolley ricocheting down the egg aisle.
Re: the urgent upgrade.
Yes, that’s the route I’m trying to go down. I worry I don’t strictly qualify as
a) it’s not a compassionate trip, (other than for my own sanity and wellbeing as I try to shakily return to work after being severely unwell)
b) I’m not on ‘important government business’ – whatever tf that is these days…That said, Kevin Foster (Undersecretary, HO) did say: “Where there are compelling reasons for international travel or matters could not have been foreseen, we will always act”.
So I’m hoping they will, given this job opportunity only arose very recently.
He also mentions for MP’s teams:
• In-person Passport Surgeries with HMPO staff at Portcullis House walk-in hub
• and an Urgent Enquiries inbox that MPs can sent representations to on constituents’ behalf.Let’s see what tomorrow brings. I got a text this morning saying they’ve received my old passport at least. I sent it on the 7th June.
Thanks @TCL
Yes, I’ve emailed all the Upgrade Teams (once!) this afternoon. I thought the Progress Team might have been another email address!
Let’s see if I get a response. Nothing by way of auto-acknowledgement so far. Seems they don’t go in for that kind of thing. 🧐
Ah, right you are @upsidedown, it was the phrase ‘Progress Team’ that piqued my interest as I thought hold, up, Progress? I’ve not heard of that before!
I’m (meant to be) flying to Madrid on Sunday 26th June for two days’ work. Being self-employed, no work = no pay = also a very pissed-off client, who’s spent thousands on their Team’s flights and hotel rooms. 🙃
It’s the first work I’ve had since Dec 2019 (Covid cancelled all my 2020 work, ill for 18 months since then), so this trip is vital for me to stay something approaching solvent.
The chaos that this utter lack of foresight has brought is staggering.
Hi @upsidedown.
May I ask what the details are for the Durham Progress Team, please?
Is this a dedicated line, or the general advice line, or…
I ask as I’ve had no luck getting through on the Passport Advice Line at all, and my flight for work, not even fun – is on Sunday 26th June. 🥴
Looking at twitter this morning, it seems people are receiving them 7-8 days after they’ve been printed, so you should receive it c9th/10th June.
Worth checking TNT website to see if it’s been picked up by them yet, maybe?
Looking at twitter this morning, it seems people are receiving them 7-8 days after they’ve been printed. Worth checking TNT website to see if it’s been picked up by them yet, maybe?
