UK passport costs to rise again
The cost of obtaining a passport is to go up by 20% to £51 to pay for security measures.
According to reports, the rise will be imposed from next year on every new applicant.
It is the second hike in two years and the children’s passport will also go up from £25 to £34.
The rise has been justified by government due to extra biometrics and other security measures required to combat fraudsters, criminals or terrorists. But the biggest cost will be the estimated 70 centres around the UK for conducting face to face interviews for the first time for every passport applicant.
Home Office minister Andy Burnham reportedly told the Daily Telegraph: “These improvements to passport security do carry a cost – but it is a price worth paying in order to protect passport holders from fraud and afford them coninued convenient international travel.”
Report by Phil Davies
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled