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The cost of a new passport is set to rise to £66.

The increase which comes in on 5 October is to pay for the new anti-fraud measures and biometric chips in the passport.

Home Office Minister Joan Ryan said: 'Over a million British biometric ePassports have now been issued and from the end of this summer all new British passports will be ePassports, containing a secure chip storing the holder's personal details and a scan of their photo, as well as other improved security features.

'We are determined that the British passport will remain one of the most secure in the world, and a document that can be relied on by British travellers wherever they go.'

However, critics have hit out at the increases pointing out the cost of a ten-year passport has risen by 57 per cent in the last year.

Furthermore, the cost of a fast track passport has risen to £91 from £77.50 and the premium service costs £108 up from £96.50.

However, Ms Ryan explained the increase in the cost only covered the new safeguards that have been put in place.

She said: 'Passport production is paid for through the passport fee. There is a cost to the anti-fraud measures that we are introducing, but we are clear that it is a price that must be paid to protect the integrity of our travel documents and improve the security of our borders.'

The minister also pointed out the charge compares well with other countries, for example in Switzerland, Japan and New Zealand where ePassports cost £219, £163 and £123 respectively.



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