ANOTHER increase in passport fees due to hit islanders this week will cover the cost of Britons in difficulty abroad. The last price rise, in October 2006, was to fund the inclusion of biometric information.
Customs and Immigration chief officer Rob Prow said the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had recently implemented significant improvements to such services, including the newly built Consular Crisis Centre, designed to respond to major incidents involving British nationals such as terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
Mr Prow added that British nationals resident in the Bailiwick would be able to take advantage of these services when travelling.
The UK Identity and Passport Service announced in July that from early October, fees would be increased and that the hike would take effect in Guernsey at the same time.
From Thursday, a standard 10-year adult passport will cost £72 - the previous fee was £66 - and a child’s passport, valid for five years, will cost £46 - an increase of £1. A collective passport, for organised trips for schools and youth groups, remains at £39.
The Premium Rate Service supplement, a fast-track service available only in certain circumstances, will remain at £35.
Passports in the Bailiwick of Guernsey are issued by the Passport Office on behalf of the Lt-Governor, who exercises the royal prerogative. Applications can be made by post or at the office.
The States decided some years ago that it would hand over passport fees to the UK Government as part of the Bailiwick’s contribution to defence and overseas representation.
This continues to be the case and the fees will, therefore, rise in line with those in the UK.
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