I find the UK Consulate’s attitude very annoying. Although one may need a passport to be allowed to fly, a British National cannot possibly need a passport to enter the UK.
Many people who loose their passports very shortly before travelling do so successfully with a copy of the police crime report
Also, I see no justification why the Consulate charge so much for a one way, one trip piece of paper and for the other services they provide. That they must be self sufficient is not a good enough excuse.
Last year I discovered that as my mother was born in the North of Ireland, I was entitled to an Irish passport, and as I was over 65 it was at the time free.
I made the application and sent it off . There were a couple of questions. Connie at Irish consulate called me. When I had the answer I was able to call Connie back and get the problem resolved. When the passport arrived in Madrid, Bernard called me to make sure I would be at home over the next few days so it would not go astray. It was brought b y courier, also at no charge to me.
Can anyone imagine ‘a real person with a Christian name’ at a British consulate providing a similar ‘personal’ service?
Whenever I have used the services of a British Consul, in several countries, they have been on the whole unhelpful, non-approachable and any services they could provide were very expensive.
Even when they hold ‘open days’ along the coasts they now forbid questions from the floor, often which would be very helpful and informative for those present, as at the first couple of meetings they were embarrassed at not being able to answer the questions !
Needless to say. I will not be renewing my British passport when it expires next year, at a cost of very near 200 euros.
And remember, try not to let the British consulate ruin your holiday by needing any help from them !!!