RIBBLE VALLEY MP Nigel Evans has criticised the Government over increases in the cost of passport due to come in October.

An adult ten-year passport will rise from £32 to £42 while a child's will go up from £19 to £25.

He has written to Chancellor Gordon Brown after talking to disgruntled constituents during a week-long surgery tour of the Ribble Valley.

He said: "These new fees are simply another stealth tax implemented by the Chancellor to help plug the deficit caused by his mishandling of the economy.

"The new prices mean a family of four will have to pay £30 more for exactly the same document they would have got earlier.

"Those wishing to put children on their passports, or having their names changed, will be forced to buy a new document rather than simply getting the old one amended."