Tim Bonner: Labour continues to misfire

The last time fees for firearms licences were reviewed was in 2014 so none of us can argue that it was not time for an increase and the Labour Party also committed to ‘full cost recovery’ for firearms licensing in its manifesto. It was no surprise, therefore, that the Home Office yesterday (Wednesday 15 January 2025) announced increases of between 111% and 157% on the current fee structure which is far beyond compound inflation since 2014. 

The renewal of a shotgun certificate, for instance, will increase from £49 to £126. The new fee structure will come into effect from 5 February 2025. For any licence application received by the police and paid for on or before 4 February 2025, the current fees will apply. Most police forces accept renewals up to four months before the expiry date of licences. 

The increase in costs above inflation is unwelcome, but what is unforgiveable is that those increases are not linked in any way to the performance of licensing authorities, the service provided to applicants or the benefit to the public. Paying more for a more efficient system would be one thing, paying more for an inefficient one when some police forces are providing an appalling service is another entirely. Even if the government does not want to tackle the patently outdated model which has 43 separate firearms licensing authorities in the UK it could at least tackle the vast gulf in performance between the best and the worst of those.

The most worrying thing about this process, which has to an extent been mirrored across government since the election, has been the unwillingness of Ministers to work with stakeholders. When the British Shooting Sports Council - which brings together Britain’s major shooting associations including the Alliance - met the Minister last week, she said she would like to work together, but there has been absolutely no engagement on the new fee structure or on reform of the licensing system.

Before the election the Labour party repeatedly stated its desire to build a new relationship with rural Britain. Sir Keir Starmer promised “a new relationship…based on respect and on genuine partnership”. The countryside took him at his word and has tried to engage, but since the election the blinds have come down and the drawbridge has been drawn up. 

There are dozens of new Labour MPs in rural constituencies and for the benefit of both the Labour party and the countryside, it is in everyone’s interest that the voice of the countryside is heard in Defra, the Home Office and beyond. It will be of no benefit to anyone if Labour once again develops a rural problem.