The cost of applying for a new British passport will cost more from next month, a Swindon travel agency is warning.
Now Lets Travel is advising customers to send off their applications now whether for a new passport, or for a renewal, ahead of the introduction of higher fees coming into force on February 2nd.
Shaun Jones from Now Lets Travel Swindon said “Anyone needing a new passport should get their applications in ASAP. It is the first time in five years the cost of applying for a passport has increased and although the proposals are subject to parliamentary scrutiny, it is highly unlikely the increase will be stopped.”
The cost for a standard online application will rise from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and £49 to £53.50 for children and applications made via the post will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children.
According to the official Home Office page, ‘the Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications’ and the additional money ‘will help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs’ taking away any reliance on the taxpayer to fund any shortfall in the processing costs.
