We asked HMPO how it was ensuring that suppliers had sufficient capacity to meet the expected demand for passports in future. HMPO told us that it was taking actions to reduce supplier issues in 2023, which was different for different suppliers. It explained that it had given suppliers estimates of likely demand that “err on the side of caution” and that it was asking suppliers to plan for higher demand than it expected to receive overall. It also told us that it was working with suppliers to...

We asked HMPO how it was ensuring that suppliers had sufficient capacity to meet the expected demand for passports in future. HMPO told us that it was taking actions to reduce supplier issues in 2023, which was different for different suppliers. It explained that it had given suppliers estimates of likely demand that “err on the side of caution” and that it was asking suppliers to plan for higher demand than it expected to receive overall. It also told us that it was working with suppliers to ensure they had plans in place and that these were tested, so that suppliers have enough staff to manage the demand in 2023. HMPO told us that it was al Type: conclusion | Number: 22 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 4. PAC conclusion: Despite HMPO’s work to prepare for increased demand for passports, poor performance by contractors exacerbated issues for customers. 4. PAC recommendation: The Department should, as part as its Treasury Minute response, set out the steps it has