Ms Barbara Jones:

I would make a significant distinction, in that the only correct use of the term "backlog" for the passport service relates to the Covid backlog of 89,000. As Mr. Burgess has clarified, we have issued 55,000 passports, with 14,000 more on track to be completed by Thursday. When we get the information for the extra 20,000 applications, they will be fast-tracked because we are keen to support the issuing of passports to those who have been affected by the pandemic. In the meantime, we have continued to meet our service target of a ten-day turnaround for all online applications. Therefore, there is no backlog in our system. In fact, it is a great tribute to the staff of the office, who must attend on site, that they have resumed. We have scaled up services, are clearing the backlog with great speed and are accelerating the return to normal service levels.