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Passport fees are set for a "whopping" rise just days before the start of Easter holidays.

The cost of a child's passport is increasing from £46 to £58.50 - a hike of 27% - while adult costs will increase from £72.50 to £85.

You can beat the hike by making an online application, for which the rise is less dramatic.

Online prices will rise to £75.50 for adults or £49 for children under 16.

(Image: iStock)

When are passport fees going up?

The new fees, which apply to postal applications only, will come into force on March 27.

Labour tried to block the rises after warning they would be another burden on struggling families.

But they were passed anyway by 317 to 258 in a House of Commons vote.

Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott said: "This whopping increase will hit families badly and could see some families being forced to cancel their summer holiday plans as the costs become too high."

Fees for "fast-track" applications will however rise steeply by £39 for adults to £142, while it will reach £122 for children under 16.

The new rules also introduce a top-level "premium collect service" that would cost travellers £177 (£151 for children).

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Who is exempt from passport fees?

People born before 2 September 1929 are usually either exempt from fees or pay a reduced rate.

Some diplomats, servicemen and women or people in a crisis overseas can also have their fees waived at officials' discretion.

The Home Office previously said it wanted to shift costs of passport services from all taxpayers onto those who choose to travel.

Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said: "These proposals will ensure that those people who don’t travel abroad are not footing the bill for those who do."

Are the passport fee increases to do with Brexit?

The hike is nothing to do with bringing back blue passports once we quit the European Union.

It will cost £100million because it is grouped together with other changes.

In its first year the Home Office will make half that back, £50million, in higher application fees.