Blow for millions of Brit holidaymakers as price of passports set to rise again to plug growing black hole
PASS IT ON Blow for millions of Brit holidaymakers as price of passports set to rise again to plug growing black hole
THE price of passports is set to rise again in a massive blow to thousands of Brit holidaymakers.
Ministers have been urged to increase the £95 renewal fee once more in a bid to fill a "growing black hole" in the Passport Office's budget.
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Fee hikes could see travellers charged another £32 per application
Credit: Alamy
Higher costs will affect millions of sun-seekers, with almost seven million passports issued to Brits last year.
An adult passport is valid for 10 years while a children's passport is valid for five.
An increase in fees could see travellers charged £32 more per application, according to The Telegraph.
This comes as the Passport Office recorded a budget deficit of almost £230million last year and £916million over the past five years.
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The National Audit Office (NAO) said the increased fees will fill a "black hole" currently being paid for by taxpayer funds.
Adults currently pay £94.50 for a new passport or £222 for a one-day renewal.
Passport renewal fees have already seen a hike of £6 this year.
In April, the cost of applying for a new passport online increased from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults, and from £69 to £74 for kids.
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Postal applications hiked from £100 to £107 for adults and from £69 to £74 for under-16s.
The premium one-day-turnaround service for those in desperate need of a new passport went up to £222 from £207.50, and to £189 from £176.50 for children.
The Sun's Jack Elsom talks to Tech Secretary Peter Kyle about the introduction of the digital passport
The above-inflation rise marks the third time the price of passports have gone up in just over two years.
Last April the cost of the holiday booklet rose by 7 per cent, following a hefty 9 per cent rise in February 2023.
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Most UK passports last for 10 years, although for many countries including the EU people need at least six months left to travel.
The Home Office has long maintained it does not profit from passport sales and increase prices solely to offset higher manufacturing and processing costs.
Holidays are getting more expensive anyway with airlines pushing up prices to keep pace with increased fuel costs.
Jet-setters have also been braced for anti-tourist protests in party towns like Ibiza where the locals are sick of their areas being trashed.
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