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Labour has been warned that their latest policy targeting rural areas is a “missed opportunity” to improve relations with the community.

Tim Bonner, the Countryside Alliance’s chief executive, says he is “frustrated” that the decision to increase gun ownership fees by as much as 157% has been taken without consulting those affected, who could shape a policy that works better for both parties.

He told the Express: “I believe that it is more cock up than conspiracy, but it is sad nonetheless.

“Labour spent a lot of time with rural communities and organisations before the election, but since July, there has been very little.

“It feels very difficult to discuss with ministers who seem wary about engaging.”

Under the plans announced by the Home Office, the price to renew a shotgun certificate will increase by 157% from £49 to £126.

The cost of obtaining a new shotgun certificate will also rise from £79.50 to £194, an increase of 144%, whilst the cost of obtaining a firearm certificate will increase from £88 to £198.

The plans aim to address shortfalls in police funding, with Mr Bonner fully on board with the need to increase the cost of certificates if the system for policing firearm ownership is modernised and made more efficient.

He said: “There has been no increase in cost since 2015, so the decision does not come as a surprise, but the increase does not come with any improvements to the system.

“Currently, it is practically Victorian with 43 separate licensing authorities and a massive disparity in service between the best and worst.”

The increase, which will predominately affect rural communities, comes just months after Rachel Reeves announced controversial measures that will remove the exemption from inheritance tax for farmers, a move the government has been warned could have severe implications.

The announcement saw thousands of farmers and supporters take to the streets in protest, but Mr Bonner is keen to ensure that the community does not end up at war with the government.

He said: “We have seen it before with the last Labour government and the last thing we want to do is go to war with this one.

“There are so many things we could work together on, and we would welcome discussion on issues such as climate change, biodiversity decline and sustainability. We need to work together.”

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has warned that the government’s decision poses a threat to rural livelihoods and fails to deal with gross inefficiencies which in many cases provides an unacceptable service.

Ian Bell, the organisation’s Chief Executive warned: “For many who work in rural areas, owning a firearm is not a luxury, but an important tool of the job.

“This fee hike fails to address the glaring inefficiencies in the firearms licensing system. It will price many people out of lawful shooting activities, alienating rural communities and threatening essential conservation and pest control work.

“We have already been inundated with messages from people who are asking why they are asked to pay above inflation for a failing service. Many have shared with us their frustrations about having to pay more for a service which in many cases makes them wait between one and two years to have their applications processed.

“The government has provided no transparency on how these figures were calculated and has ignored calls for reforms to create a fair and efficient licensing process. Public safety and responsible firearms ownership should go hand in hand, but this decision achieves neither.”