OFFICIALS

boast that their decision to outsource the production of British passports to Europe will save up to £1 0million.

But holidaymakers know that the cost of renewing the document is soaring – with an adult’s passport currently priced at £7 .50.

Ministers have announced that from April, the price will jump by 17 per cent to £85. The huge rise only affects those ordering a passport by post. For those who do it online, it will jump 4 per cent to £75.50.

The increase comes when inflation is running at less than 3 per cent.

The higher fees are expected to net the Government an extra £50million next year.

However, ministers insist that despite the increase, passports cost less than they did nine years ago as fees were reduced in 01 .