How long does it take for a new passport?  Wanting to book a holiday but just sending off for my passport today!

New or renewal? I renewed mine last year and it was back within 7 days, although I did it in November when i guess they're not so busy.

Depends how busy they are and whether you have filled it in properly and supplied a suitable photo.  I renewed mine last month and it took about two weeks to come back.  Someone else I know submitted theirs around the same time and the photo was deemed to be not good enough (despite it being done in an approved booth) in total it took 5 weeks to get it done

If you need it in a hurry you can make an appointment and go to a passport office. It costs a bit more but you get it back the same day, usually takes around 4 hours.

I went on holiday in July but relalised that my passport didnt have enough time left on it to travel home (it ran out in October and you needed 6 months left on it), the lady at the postoffice said the turn around at the moment is 2 weeks, mine came back in 10 days, i would do the check and send at the postoffice as they are very good and make sure that everything is in order so that the form doesnt get sent back to you.

I paid for the check at the PO and it came back as paperwork not fully completed. I wasn't happy.

Hoping to go away in 8 weeks time.

I think you should give them a call .....find out what the waiting time is - they have taken up to 11 weeks recently!

also be aware hat the criteria for the photos is incredibly strict now....I know many photography shops given up doing them as they were doing so many retakes it was losing them money!!!