Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael has criticised the government over yesterday’s announcement that the cost of a new passport is to rise by more than £5 or 7%.

From 03 September, the cost of an adult passport will rise from £72 to £77.50 while a child's will rise by £3 to £49. The cost of fast-track renewal will rise by £15.50 with same-day service costing £129.50 and one-week renewal costing £112.50.

Commenting, Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael said;

“The cost of passports had more than quadrupled since Labour came to power. In 1997 the cost of a passport was £18, with yesterday’s announcement it has now skyrocketed to £77.50. This exuberant price increase is exactly the kind of thing we can expect when the government has spent billions on the wasted I.D card scheme. Ministers may blame the price increase on a fall in applications, but in reality we all know the cost of renewing our passport has increased to try and raise some revenue for this debt ridden government.”