This is interesting. Consumer prices increased 24% from 1998-2009, passport renewal increased 269%. It seems the product has greatly changed and adopted technology and more bureaucracy. It appears the major reasons for £56 price increase were:
* 40% new anti-fraud measures
* 27% update passports, new anti-fraud, interview for 1st timers (2006)
* 12% to deal with 500k backlog in 1999
* 20% because of falling number of passport applicants and to pay for ID cars.
The world has changed a lot over the last 14 years.
The world has changed a lot over the last 14 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_passport#Fees