We have been issuing Emergency Travel Documents, which enable travellers to make specified journeys in the absence of their normal passport. They are widely accepted, but not in every country, so do check before you apply for one.
Since 23 June we have been extending the validity of existing passports for 12 months with an official stamp (subject to eligibility, and free of charge).
If you want to know the status of passport applications currently in the system, you can contact the Passport Adviceline on +44 (0)300 222 000. It is open Monday to Friday, 7am to 10pm (UK time, 9 hours behind Sydney); Weekends and public holidays, 8am to 6pm (UK time)).
Many people who hold British passports here are dual nationals, also holding Australian or other citizenships. A number of them have commented that it is inconvenient when applying for a new British passport to have to send their Australian or other passport to the UK with their application. HMPO have clarified that, as an alternative, it is possible to submit a colour photocopy of the Australian passport (every page, including blank pages). However HMPO reserve the right, in some cases, to subsequently ask to see the actual passport.
Detailed guidance on passport applications can be found on the passport pages of the GOV.UK website.
Editor’s note: Comments have been disabled for this post because we cannot respond to passport queries raised here. Please contact the Passport Adviceline (details above) or use the online enquiries form.