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Cost of British passport to increase Cost of British passport to increase
(35 minutes later)
The cost of a child's passport is increasing by 27% for applications made by post. The price of a British passport is to rise by £12.50 from 27 March for those applying by post.
From 27 March, it will go up from £46 to £58.50 for anyone under the age of 16. Currently, an adult's passport costs £72.50 regardless of how you apply for it but under government plans this would rise by 17% up to £85.
For adults who make postal applications a passport will cost £85, up from £72.50 - a 17% rise. The cost of online applications will also go up - but only by £3 to £75.50.
The cost of online applications is also increasing, but by significantly less. They will go up by £3 to £49 and £75.50 for children and adults, respectively. Children's passport applications will also increase by £12.50 (27%) from £46 to £58.50 for anyone under the age of 16, but will be £49 online.
All the rises, for a standard passport service, are greater than the current 3% rate of inflation.
It will be the first time ordering a passport by post will cost more than doing so online.It will be the first time ordering a passport by post will cost more than doing so online.
Despite the price hike, the government maintains it will still cost less than it would have nine years ago due to fees being reduced in 2012.Despite the price hike, the government maintains it will still cost less than it would have nine years ago due to fees being reduced in 2012.
While the changes are subject to parliamentary approval, the increases mean a family of four - two adults and two children - who apply by post will need to spend £287.While the changes are subject to parliamentary approval, the increases mean a family of four - two adults and two children - who apply by post will need to spend £287.
Prices for adult passports on the fast-track service will rise from £103 to £142, and from £128 to £177 under the premium service.Prices for adult passports on the fast-track service will rise from £103 to £142, and from £128 to £177 under the premium service.
The Home Office said: "These reforms are part of plans by the Home Office to invest £100m on border security and infrastructure next year."The Home Office said: "These reforms are part of plans by the Home Office to invest £100m on border security and infrastructure next year."
It aims to "create a self-sustainable immigration and borders system".It aims to "create a self-sustainable immigration and borders system".
Postal vs online costsPostal vs online costs
The Home Office justified the higher postal charges, saying they reflected the "increased costs of processing postal applications compared to online applications".The Home Office justified the higher postal charges, saying they reflected the "increased costs of processing postal applications compared to online applications".
It said the reforms would shift the financial burden of providing passports on to users of the service instead of taxpayers - "millions of whom do not currently hold passports".It said the reforms would shift the financial burden of providing passports on to users of the service instead of taxpayers - "millions of whom do not currently hold passports".
It added that the proposals are unrelated to the reintroduction of blue passports, which will not create an extra cost.It added that the proposals are unrelated to the reintroduction of blue passports, which will not create an extra cost.
The proposed increased fees could mean the government makes an extra £50m in the next financial year.The proposed increased fees could mean the government makes an extra £50m in the next financial year.