British passports set to cost more than £100 from 2024 - Apply now to avoid HUGE hike in February

The Government has announced new passport fees for all applications from February 2 as the cost increases for the first time in five years.

Fees for a standard online application in the UK will rise to £82.50 from £75.50 for adults and £53.50, up from £49, for children.

Postal applications are set to surge to £93 from £85 for adults and £64 from £58.50 for children.

And with CPI inflation at 10.7 per cent, the iconic blue passports are set to cost more than £100 for the first time in February 2024.

The Government’s web page announced the proposals saying: “The new fees will help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.

“The Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.

“The fees will also contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.

“The increase will also help enable the Government to continue improving its services.”

The price hike has faced criticism online as social media users blast the surge in fees.

One Twitter user said: “Apparently passport fees are going up in February. Everything increasing except our salaries.”

While another said: “Well that's just brilliant. As if we don't have enough to pay for already.”

A third added: “British people having to cough up and pay for your [Government] failures with the introduction of the new passport fees from February. Pathetic as always.”

The Home Office said that the proposals are subject to parliamentary scrutiny.