UK Airport Passport Control Delays 2022-04-25
2022-04-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Easter saw significant travel and minor disruptions at airports due to high levels of international travel. In February and March 2022, more than 85% of queue measurements were under 45 minutes for non-EU passengers.
What plans does the government have to improve airport immigration wait times?
Easter saw Border Force maintain a secure and effective border, with minor inbound border control disruption, in a period with one of the highest levels of international travel in the past two years. Before Easter, in February and March 2022, more than 85% of queue measurements were under 45 minutes for non-EU passengers.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific plans or actions to improve airport immigration wait times were provided
General Statement
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Collins family, returning from holiday in February or March 2022, faced difficulties entering the country due to Border Force's refusal to allow a five-year-old child entry despite his being a British citizen with a German passport. The father is a British-born citizen and the mother has settled status.
I recently wrote to him regarding the experience that my constituents, the Collins family, had at Newcastle airport when returning from holiday at a quarter to 11 at night a week or two ago. They describe Border Force as 'hostile' and 'unpleasant'. What does he have to say? An urgent investigation and unreserved apology are required.
I thank the hon. Lady for bringing that experience to the Floor of the House of Commons. I am, of course, sorry that any such distress was caused to a family, and particularly to a child so young. She will understand that it is difficult for me to talk about a particular case at the Dispatch Box without having all the facts available, but I will be happy to follow up with her separately.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to an urgent investigation or unreserved apology was made
Cannot Talk About Specific Case
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
There are severe delays in processing passport applications and renewals, causing concerns for constituents planning summer holidays.
Travellers are experiencing severe delays not only at passport control but also with processing passport applications and renewals. Despite the Minister's explanation of staff pressures, can he assure me that backlogs will be addressed before my constituents go on their summer holidays?
I reassure my hon. Friend that, in spite of the fact that there has been a surge in demand, as she would expect considering the patterns that we have seen in the past couple of years and the fact that international travel is now returning, that is absolutely something that the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Torbay (Kevin Foster), who leads on passport issuing, is across to ensure that the necessary capacity is there.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or action was provided for addressing backlogs before summer holidays
General Statement
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Passport delays are affecting constituents' ability to travel for holidays and work abroad, causing frustration with the Home Office's management.
Passport delays are affecting our constituents' ability to take holidays and take up jobs abroad. There are ever-lengthening queues at passport control, and generous constituents who signed up for the Homes for Ukraine scheme are experiencing delays. When will the Home Secretary realise the impact that her Department's appalling record on managing gateways into and out of our country is having on the UK's reputation?
I take extremely seriously the experience of passengers coming through British airports and seaports. There is a distinction between outbound and inbound.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific recognition or action was provided regarding the impact on UK's reputation
Changes Subject
Response accuracy