Home Office says Peterborough Passport Office workers will be safe

Reports suggested staff at Passport Offices across the country, including in Peterborough, would be going back to work after a spell where teh offices were shut.

But a Home Office spokesperson said: “Her Majesty’s Passport Office is fully adhering to Public Health advice across all our offices and adopting social distancing measures to keep both its staff and customers safe.

“It continues to operate at substantially restricted staffing levels with a significant number of people working from home where possible, and staff are prioritising emergency cases. Guidance is also available for people who are travelling into work.

“It was made clear in the meeting that the Government’s priority is slowing the spread of coronavirus and we all have a part to play in order to protect the NHS and save lives.”

The spokesman added: “Government advice has been clear that you may travel for work purposes, if you cannot work from home. There is no advice saying that you should only go to work if you are an “essential” or “key” worker.”

However, the move has been criticised by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU).

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “It is absolutely scandalous that HMPO are suggesting our members can go back into work during a pandemic to process routine passports.

“The cavalier approach to our members health and safety is shameful and ultimately puts them in greater danger of contracting Covid-19.

“We have already had members die as a result of contracting Corona and pressured civil service managers in other departments to shut offices so staff can work from home.

“For the deputy chief scientific advisor at the Home Office to suggest that going into work does not put you at greater risk of contracting Corona is extremely irresponsible and totally contradicts current government guidance.

“Processing passports is not critical work while we are in lockdown and international travel is practically non-existent due to the Corona pandemic.

“We call for an immediate investigation into these remarks by Rupert Shute and urge the Home Office to publicly distance themselves from his comments.”