Due to fewer people travelling abroad, the cost of a passport will increase from £72.50 to £77.50 for an adult and from £46 to £49 for a child from September 3rd.

This is due to the lack of travellers, with less and less people applying for new passports. The year ending 31st March 2009, the demand for passports was down by around 350,000 meaning a huge loss in profit.

The decline has come due to the recent economic crisis that the country is currently facing.  Many people are unhappy with the increase in charges, however the Identity and Passport Service believe that it is necessary.