17% rise in passport costs

From the 27th March, the cost of applying for a UK passport is to rise by 17%.  Currently a passport costs £72.50, however Government plans dictate that this would rise to £85 for postal applications and £75.50 for applications made online – marking the first time that ordering a passport via the internet is cheaper than applying by post.

Applications for those under sixteen will also increase, from £46 to £58.50, however applications made online will only rise to £49.

These changes are still subject to parliamentary approval, but the Home Office has defended the decision, stating that the price increase reflects the increased costs of processing postal applications compared to online applications and are part of plans to invest £100 million on border security and infrastructure next year.