Government announces huge increase in gun licensing fees

The Home Office has revealed a significant rise in firearms and shotgun licence fees in England, Scotland and Wales, effective 5 February 2025, with increases ranging from 111% to 157%.

The new “full cost recovery” charges, announced on 15 January, are part of the government’s efforts to cover the increasing costs of the firearms licensing system, which has not seen a fee increase since 2014.

Under the new fee structure, a firearms certificate grant will rise from £88 to £198, a 125% increase.

See also: Gun licence holders told not to avoid mental health support

Shotgun certificates will see an even steeper rise from £79.50 to £194, marking a 144% increase.

The changes are part of a broader shift aimed at recovering the full cost of managing firearms licences.

This decision follows the Labour Party’s 2024 election manifesto, and has sparked widespread criticism for a lack of consultation with stakeholders or the public.

Critics argue that the fee hikes are excessive, with no corresponding improvement in service levels.

The new charges also fail to address the inefficiency of the current licensing system, which is managed by 43 separate police authorities, some of which are criticised for their poor service delivery.

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner warned that the increases would have a “significant financial impact” on rural communities.

“Up to 157% increases in the cost of shotgun and firearms certificates are going to hit people hard, particularly in the countryside. The government must ensure any cost recovery is linked to an efficient system,” he said.

British Association for Shooting and Conservation chief executive Ian Bell said the government “seemed intent on alienating yet another rural constituency”.

He added: “There has been a complete absence of any proper consultation with stakeholders or the public, despite the fact that this has been done in the past with fee increases, and no transparency on how firearms fees are being calculated by this government.”

‘Funding gap’ 

The Home Office’s justification for the increases is that the fees no longer cover the full cost of firearms licensing, which includes managing applications and renewals.

Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, defended the fee hikes, stating that the funding gap had affected police resources dedicated to firearms control.

With the changes set to take effect on 5 February, gun owners are advised to apply for renewals before the fee hikes kick in to avoid paying the new charges.

As of last year, there were more than 500,000 active shotgun licences in England and Wales, which are renewed every five years.