MP Michael McCann warns constituents regarding passports

Staff have been inundated with pleas for help from individuals and families who were on the verge of losing their holidays due to delays in processing new applications.

In one case an East Kilbride man was forced to drive to Durham less than 24 hours before he and his family were due to fly out from Glasgow to collect his new passport.

Now the East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP is warning constituents to make sure they allow plenty of time if they need a new passport.

He said: “What is particularly worrying is that the Passport Office states on its website that it should take three weeks to renew a passport.

“Clearly that deadline is not being met and many people are being forced to pay extra for a premium service which ordinarily they shouldn’t need.

“Consequently I would urge anyone who needs a passport to apply more than three weeks prior to travelling.”