MP blasts cost of shotgun licences

MP for South Shropshire, Stuart Anderson, has slammed the government's decision to hike shotgun license renewal fees by a staggering 257 per cent.

The increase, which has applied from February 5, 2025, is 4.5 times the rate of inflation since the last increase in 2015. Under the planned increases, renewals of shotgun certificates will rise from £49 to £126.. 

Meanwhile, shotgun certificates will rise from £79.50 to £194 - a 144 per cent increase. In addition, firearms certificate will rise from £88 to £198 - a 125 per cent increase.

Mr Anderson has urged the government to "urgently publish" transparency data on how it arrived at this calculation. 

He has also called on the government to outline how it will undertake meaningful engagement on any future increases. In a letter to the Home Secretary, hw said: "I am concerned this will only pile further pressure on hundreds of thousands of people in rural communities. It is deeply disappointing that the government did not consult nor even inform MPs prior to announcing the increase."

The Impact Assessment accompanying the announcement states that the increase will “provide more effective and efficient firearms licensing controls, helping them to safeguard the public from the misuse of licensed firearms and to provide a professional service to applicants.”

So, Mr Anderson has urged the government to set out how it will achieve these aims - given that responsibility for these tasks rests at an individual force level with democratically elected Police and Crime Commissioners and their Chief Constables.

In addition, he has claimed that the statement appears to contradict the pledge that was previously made in the manifesto upon which the government was elected just over six months ago.

The manifesto stated: “to offer young people a pathway out of violence, we will place youth workers and mentors in A&E units and Pupil Referral Units, funded by full recovery of the cost of firearm licensing.”In response to this, Stuart has urged the government to confirm that it is still committed to funding these interventions and to set out how it will do so. 

He also asked Ministers to confirm that the funding for these tasks will not be reduced as a result of the change of priorities.

Stuart Anderson MP said:"Many constituents across South Shropshire have contacted me with concerns about the 257 per cent increase in shotgun certificate renewal fees and other hikes that took effect on 5th February. For many constituents working in the rural economy, these items are necessary to conduct their vital roles.

"This includes farmers, gamekeepers, and veterinarians who already face huge financial pressures. It is deeply disappointing that Ministers did not consult MPs or the sector. These staggering hikes will only pile further pressure on hundreds of thousands of people in rural communities like ours. So, I have called on Ministers to urgently set out how it arrived at this calculation and undertake meaningful engagement on any future increases."