Seven out of 10 Passport Office staff go on strike today – causing further disruption to the application process which already has a huge backlog.
The Home Office has criticised members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union who are striking over staff shortages and pay.
There is currently a serious backlog in processing applications. In June alone, the Passport Office received nearly 800,000 applications.
Before that, extra staff had been drafted in to help shift the 30,000 passports awaiting processing.
A Home Office spokesman said the timing of the strike could affect people’s summer holidays.
"Holding a strike at this stage is irresponsible and will only inconvenience our customers and jeopardise their holidays," he said.
