Blow for millions of Brit holidaymakers as price of passports set to rise again to plug growing black hole

PASS IT ON Blow for millions of Brit holidaymakers as price of passports set to rise again to plug growing black hole
THE price of passports is set to rise again in a massive blow to thousands of Brit holidaymakers.
Ministers have been urged to increase the £95 renewal fee once more in a bid to fill a "growing black hole" in the Passport Office's budget.
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Fee hikes could see travellers charged another £32 per application
Credit: Alamy
Higher costs will affect millions of sun-seekers, with almost seven million passports issued to Brits last year.
An adult passport is valid for 10 years while a children's passport is valid for five.
An increase in fees could see travellers charged £32 more per application, according to The Telegraph.
This comes as the Passport Office recorded a budget deficit of almost £230million last year and £916million over the past five years.
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The National Audit Office (NAO) said the increased fees will fill a "black hole" currently being paid for by taxpayer funds.
Adults currently pay £94.50 for a new passport or £222 for a one-day renewal.
Passport renewal fees have already seen a hike of £6 this year.
In April, the cost of applying for a new passport online increased from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults, and from £69 to £74 for kids.
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Postal applications hiked from £100 to £107 for adults and from £69 to £74 for under-16s.
The premium one-day-turnaround service for those in desperate need of a new passport went up to £222 from £207.50, and to £189 from £176.50 for children.
The Sun's Jack Elsom talks to Tech Secretary Peter Kyle about the introduction of the digital passport
The above-inflation rise marks the third time the price of passports have gone up in just over two years.
Last April the cost of the holiday booklet rose by 7 per cent, following a hefty 9 per cent rise in February 2023.
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Most UK passports last for 10 years, although for many countries including the EU people need at least six months left to travel.
The Home Office has long maintained it does not profit from passport sales and increase prices solely to offset higher manufacturing and processing costs.
Holidays are getting more expensive anyway with airlines pushing up prices to keep pace with increased fuel costs.
Jet-setters have also been braced for anti-tourist protests in party towns like Ibiza where the locals are sick of their areas being trashed.
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Scottish Sun

29 minutes ago

• Scottish Sun

Five BEST used caravans for a summer staycation are revealed – and they're all under £5,000

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Scottish Sun

an hour ago

• Scottish Sun

Scotland's best holiday park named – it's on the banks of stunning loch & not far from major city

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Metro

2 hours ago

• Metro

The most beautiful European islands that aren't in Greece

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Sign up here. First up, Harry Dinn flies the flag for both Madeira and the Azores. The former – an autonomous region of Portugal – sits off the northwest coast of Africa, and is known for its namesake wine and a subtropical climate. The latter, also belonging to Portugal, is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic. Its dramatic landscapes of crater lakes, lush greenery, lava caves and hot springs make it the perfect destination for adventure seekers. For James Smith, any of Norway's 239,057 islands are worth a trip. While you're there, you can also see the fjords, long, narrow inlets with steep sides or cliffs that sit along the Norwegian coast (mostly in the west). Two of the fjords, Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many visit by boat; the cruise season runs from May to September. 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Finally, if you're in the mood for la dolce vita, Adeline Poppito-Tangredi recommends Ischia, a volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples, and Isola Bella, one of the Borromean islands of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. Its name translates to 'beautiful island.' Nature lovers and thrill seekers, pack your bags. And then unpack them. And pack them again. The Azores – otherwise referred to as the 'Hawaii of Europe' – have nine islands, so it's the perfect place to island hop. Each one is unique, so you get multiple holidays in one. Whale and dolphin watching tours are available on multiple islands. The Azores are a prime location for spotting various species, because they sit in migratory routes for Blue and Fin Whales. From Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island (and also the capital of the Azores), spend two to three hours on an open boat for £56.65 per person. If you don't spot any whales or dolphins, you get a full refund. 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The calm waters of the twin lakes, Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, in São Miguel are favoured, while for canyoning and coasteering, Caloura is the place to be. For £60, you can spend three hours climbing, swimming, rock scrambling and exploring the Azores' many inlets and caves. If history is more your thing, Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town dates back to the 15th century and was an obligatory port of call until the advent of the steamship in the 19th century. The San Sebastião and San João Baptista fortifications are over 400 years old and provide examples of unique military architecture. Finally, no trip to the Azores is complete without trying the cuisine. There's a strong focus on local ingredients, including fruit, veg, meat and fish. Thanks to the abundant Atlantic waters, fresh fish and shellfish like limpets, barnacles, and tuna are rife. 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Its best beaches include Santa Giulia, a shimmering bay with shallow, clear water, Saleccia, a secluded cove with soft white sand and turquoise water, and Palombaggia, complete with azure ocean and pillow-soft sand. Hike-wise, Corsica ticks all the boxes. The most famous is the GR20, a challenging, long-distance trail that is considered one of the toughest in Europe. The Bavella Needles are also impressive: rocky spikes of red granite dominate the mountain and can be found in Corsica's Regional National Park. As for the Calanques de Piana and Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you have the luxury of choosing between hiking around both, or taking the more relaxed route by boat. From Porto (not the Portuguese city), join a three-hour Scandola and Girolata boat tour for £39. You'll sail around the reserve in a hybrid boat, stopping in the remote village of Girolata, which is only accessible from the sea. More Trending Another boat trip worth looking into is the route around the Lavezzi Islands, a collection of islets and reefs that separate Corsica from Sardinia. A half-day tour from Bonifacio starts at £74pp. After exploring the archipelago, head to the vineyards of Patrimonio to sample local wines. Le Clos Teddi, a wine estate located in the heart of the Agriate desert, offers experiences starting from €15.00 (£12.81). Over half an hour, you'll taste the winery's red, rosé and white, plus two vintages. Due to Corsica's location, the cuisine is a blend of French and Italian. Local ingredients such as chestnuts, cured meats, and seafood are prominent, with dishes ranging from hearty stews, fresh fish, Corsican charcuterie, and veau aux olives (veal with olives). Restaurant Santa Margherita takes the top spot on TripAdvisor, serving French and Mediterranean meals. One diner went so far as to call their experience a 'rare and precious moment'. 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