DOWNING Street has said ministers will work to "mitigate" the impact of strikes by UK Passport Office staff, but that there are no plans to change guidance on waiting times for passports ahead of summer.

The Public and Commercial Services union has announced a five-week strike by its members in the Passport Office in an escalation of its long-running dispute with the government over pay, pensions, jobs and conditions.

Staff in Belfast are expected to strike from April 7 to May 5.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "There are no current plans to change the guidance that people should allow up to 10 weeks to get a passport. The Home Office will work hard to manage the impact of this strike action to ensure they can still provide the vital service to the British public as you would expect ahead of ahead of the summer where we fully acknowledge that many people will want to get away and enjoy the summer with their family.

"So we will do everything we can to mitigate the impact of the strikes."