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Major change to UK passport fees comes into effect today

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The government has announced an increase to passport fees, which comes into effect from today (April 8).

Here’s what we know about the price increase, including how much adult and child passports will cost.



Passport fees to increase for Brits from April

In its original announcement, the government said the new prices needed to be approved by Parliament as it released the proposed prices.

The government has since confirmed that prices will increase today.

Here are the new prices:

Standard online application:

  • For adults – £102 (up from £94.50)
  • For children – £66.50 (up from £61.50)

Standard postal application:

  • For adults – £115.50 (up from £107)
  • For children – £80 (up from £74)

A Premium Service (one day) application made from the UK will cost £239.50, up from £222.

A standard online application that’s applied for from overseas will cost £116.50 for adults (increased from £108) and £75.50 for children (up from £70).

If you apply from overseas for a new standard passport by post, you can expect the price to jump from £120.50 to £130 for adults and from £82.50 to £89 for children.

Why are passport fees going up?

The government said: “The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.

“The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications. 

“The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.”


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How long does it take to get a new passport?

The government asks Brits to apply for a passport “in good time before travelling”.

It added: “In 2025, where no further information was required, 99.7% of standard applications from the UK were processed within three weeks.”

What do you think of the new passport fees? Let us know in the comments below.





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Crime & Safety

Crook imprisoned AGAIN for shoplifting at Oxfordshire Boots

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Jamie Clark, aged 36, from Henley was arrested on April 7 and charged the following day.

On April 9 he appeared before High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to six shoplifting offences and two counts of criminal damage, committed between 28 March and 2 April at Boots on Bell Street, Henley.

READ MORE: Bikes seized following ‘anti-social’ behaviour in Oxfordshire town

He was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment. 

Police constable Sarah Puksis said: “This sentence sends a clear message – repeat shoplifting, particularly of high value goods, won’t be tolerated.

The Boots on Bell Street in Henley (Image: Google Maps)

“We work closely with retailers to identify offenders and take firm action.”

This is not the first time Mr Clark has been in trouble with the law, nor is it the first time he has stolen from the Henley Boots.

In 2025, he was sentenced to four months and two weeks in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of shoplifting at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on November 18.

Jamie Clark, aged 36 (Image: TVP)

On October 21 and 22 last year, Clark forced open a cabinet in Boots on Bell Street and stole high-value fragrances worth a total of £4,965.

READ MORE: Independent petrol stations call for government support amid UK fuel crisis

Clark was arrested on November 17, 2025, and charged the same day.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said on the latest incident: “We’re absolutely committed to tackling shoplifting and supporting local businesses.

“So please keep reporting incidents, save CCTV, and let us do the rest. Remember: the only thing you should be lifting in Boots… is your shopping basket.”





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Harry Potter’s Miriam Margolyes ‘scared’ as death ‘close’

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The 84-year-old actress admits in an upcoming film her feelings around her own mortality and her hopes of reaching 90.

Born and raised in Oxford, Ms Margolyes is perhaps most famous for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film series and for her role as Mrs Mingott in Martin Scorsese’s 1993 film, The Age of Innocence, for which she won a BAFTA.

READ MORE: Campaigners behind acclaimed Channel 4 show in water referendum call

The new documentary ‘Miriam Made Me Me’ is directed and produced by Simon Draper and edited by Gwyn Jones.

It will air at 9pm on Monday 13 April on BBC Two and iPlayer.

Initially intended to be a podcast series, Mr Draper ended up securing so much footage that he was able to create this film.

Queen Camilla speaking to Miriam Margolyes. (Image: Chris Jackson / PA)

Speaking to Televisual, he said: “The result is an unfiltered portrait of an often controversial actress and her transformative effects on others; especially me.”

In the film, according to the Daily Mirror, Ms Margolyes shows her life including performing on stage and meeting the King and Queen.

READ MORE: Firefighter who won £100K on The Chase spin-off show to run London Marathon

In addition, she reveals her thoughts on death, which she admits “feels extremely close”.

She said: “Death feels round the corner, behind the bush just up the road. I am scared of it, and I think I probably always will be, and I’m cross about death.”

In addition, she admits that she hopes to reach 90 and go without loss of pain or dignity.

Ms Margolyes has in the past spoken about the health problems that come with aging including that she cannot walk well.

She told Original Cin that as she was marketing recent film Holy Days.





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I’m A Celeb’s Sinitta slams Gemma Collins’ acting career

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Collins, 45, who has been struggling with life in the jungle, was confronted by pop star Sinitta.

It came after the campmates merged again after previously being split into two camps.

The singer questioned Gemma’s career and talent, referring to the TV personality as a “comedian”.

Tension rises in camp as Sinitta questions Gemma Collins’ career

In her original series, Collins quit after three days because she struggled with the environment in Australia, but she has called her appearance on the South African version of the TV show a “redemption”.

Sinitta asked the reality TV star about the musical Chicago, which Collins had been due to feature in as Matron “Mama” Morton in 2022, but had to withdraw from the production due to a “terrible injury”.

The singer, who has also featured in Chicago on stage, told Collins she thought the casting was a “joke announcement”.

Collins replied: “It’s not a joke, Sinitta, I auditioned for it fair and square.

“Did all the training and everything, had a voice coach.”

Sinitta explains: “I think you had just presented something, some awards, and fallen off the stage – it was like you were more of a comedian.”

Comparing her to US socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, Sinitta adds: “Very camp, very glamorous.


Winners of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here


“You don’t really do anything, but you make a great entrance and make everybody laugh.

“I didn’t know you could actually sing, dance and all that jazz.”

Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt and comedian Seann Walsh look shocked as they listened to the tense discussion.

Gemma defended herself, saying: “I don’t think you’d get cast as Mama Morton in Chicago if you didn’t pass the audition.”

Speaking to the camera in a segment where she’s alone, Gemma said: “I’m not a joke, darling.

“I am not a joke.

“I have done everything in my life on my own.

“So I was just taken aback, but it was just a bit weird.”

Fans seemed to enjoy the drama with one sharing on X: “Sinitta Just digging herself further into this hole with what shes said to Gemma Collins

“#ImACeleb #ImACelebSouthAfrica”, adding a GIF of a man inside a big hole digging to make it bigger.


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Another fan suggested: “I think Sinitta feels a bit threatened by the possibility of loss of screen time since Gemma Collins joined main camp! #ImACeleb”.

Someone else said they thought Sinitta was “harsh”: “Sinitta Malone was a bit Harsh tonight.

“I mean, I Had to Google her Last Name.

“So Gemma Collins is more well-known than her.”

How to watch I’m A Celebrity… South Africa

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa is on at 9pm on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.

You can watch new episodes of the ITV show on weeknights.

Are you watching the new series? Let us know your favourite campmate in the comments below.





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