British passports

[pjm007]

More of a moan really, but having recently applied for passports for a family of four, I am disgusted by the amount of money it cost, the total amount was �172 including photos.

As far as I am concerned, it is just another tax forced on people who wish to travel abroad.

In my opinion passports should be a free issue, does anyone else share my views ?

Also, if the government decide that identity cards are to be compulsory, will there be a charge for those too ?

[kempie]

Oh yes... when we have our biometric data included on all photocard ID (Identity Card, Passport, Driving Licence) there will be an increase in cost of approximately �40 per card/document, and since photo IDs need replacing every 10 years this equates to �120 in any 10 year period, or �12 per year at current prices.

[silly moo]

Yes I think I do agree - or at least a much smaller sum.
ID cards will cost us our hard earned cash as well - which is grossly unfair if they are to be compulsory.

[Bangkok]

You choose to travel, you pay the market rate for tickets, hotels and legally required documents.  Why should passports be subsidised?  ID cards, however, should be free, but a charge made for replacements for lost/ damaged cards

[kaktus]

I don't know how it works in the UK, but in Denmark a passport costs no more than the production costs, which is about �75.

[kempie]

kaktus - I presume your passport is made of platinum with gold inlay and studded with diamonds if it costs that much to produce.

A standard 10-year adult UK passport currently costs �42.

[kempie]

... and apparently the cost to produce a UK passport is �4.05 but of course there are other costs

[pjm007]

Interesting pie-chart Kempie, it does explain where my hard-earned cash has gone. I still insist that they are way too expensive though, I was a bit hasty in saying they should be free but they should definately be cheaper. I suppose I should just think myself lucky I'm not applying for four Danish passports.

[kaktus]

Kempie - Yes of course it's with diamonds, wouldn't be seen anywhere with a normal one!

 

I think my wording were quite bad ;0) I didn't mean the actual production cost for the passport, but administration etc. all the things you pay for when you buy a carton of milk.