Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Airport Passport Control Delays

Monday 25 April 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government maintained secure and effective border control during Easter despite high levels of international travel.
  • Honorable Member expressed concern over a family's negative experience at Newcastle airport, describing Border Force as hostile and unpleasant.
  • Minister assured that efforts are being made to address backlogs in passport applications and processing before the summer holidays.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Immigration
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.

Question

What plans does the government have to improve airport immigration wait times?

Answer from Damian Hinds

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plans or actions to improve airport immigration wait times were provided

How: General Statement

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Q2 Julie Elliott Lab
Immigration Migrants & Borders
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.

Question

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.

Answer from Damian Hinds

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to an urgent investigation or unreserved apology was made

How: Cannot Talk About Specific Case

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Q3 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Immigration Transport
Context

There are severe delays in processing passport applications and renewals, causing concerns for constituents planning summer holidays.

Question

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?

Answer from Damian Hinds

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or action was provided for addressing backlogs before summer holidays

How: General Statement

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Q4 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Immigration Ukraine
Context

Passport delays are affecting constituents' ability to travel for holidays and work abroad, causing frustration with the Home Office's management.

Question

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?

Answer from Damian Hinds

I take extremely seriously the experience of passengers coming through British airports and seaports. There is a distinction between outbound and inbound.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific recognition or action was provided regarding the impact on UK's reputation

How: Changes Subject

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