Passport hold-up could wreck plans for one million holidaymakers

The passport processing bottleneck could cost Britons £1.1 billion in cancelled trips this summer.
New research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research says it leaves ‘one million holidaymakers at risk due to the delays.’
“Data from the VisitBritain Covid-19 Consumer Sentiment Tracker shows that more than two in five are planning an overseas trip in the coming 12 months,” it said.
It projects only 50% of people will have ‘successful and timely’ passport renewals.
Due to demand, the Passport Office warned travellers to apply 10 weeks in advance.
The number of valid passports dropped 2.5 million during the pandemic and the relaxed travel curbs have sparked a surge in overseas travel intent.
Last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly mooted privatising the Passport Office.
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