I am in a similar situation – I received my first UK passport on 29 October & still have not got my supporting documents back (also paid the £5) – so I appear to be the longest here, going on 3 weeks, and travelling to my birth country in <2 weeks… So rather stressful as you need to entry that country on your home passport. Any idea if there is a way to expedite or follow-up, or do others have any timing experience they can share?