Passports: Industrial Disputes — Written Question

Question

Grahame Morris

Labour — Easington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 21 April to Question 176580 on Passports: Industrial Action, what estimate she made of the cost to the public purse of the contingency arrangements put in place for the continued operation of passport services during industrial action by members of the PCS trade union in 2023.

Answer

Robert Jenrick

We are disappointed with the union’s decision to strike. We are working to manage the impact of strike action, whilst ensuring we can continue to deliver vital services to the public, with comprehensive contingency plans in place.

The impacts of the industrial action by the PCS union within HM Passport office have been largely mitigated through internal redeployment and re-prioritisation. The direct financial costs to the public purse from this action are minimal and are offset against unpaid wages to striking PCS members.

HM Passport Office is well-positioned to manage the current period of industrial action, and there are no plans to change the guidance which states that it takes up to ten weeks to get a passport.