Policing needs a funding formula review now say PCCs

Responding to today’s National Audit Office report on Police Productivity, Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Conservative Group lead said:

“This report makes clear the urgent need for a review of the funding formula for policing. The model is outdated and does not take into account the needs of policing and our neighbourhoods, including rural areas. And the continued use of this formula is compounding the disparity between police forces making it harder for PCCs and Chief Constables. Forces can no longer wait for change - a review must happen now.”

Roger Hirst, Essex Police and Crime Commissioner and Conservative Lead for Finance, said: 

“The report lays out that the government’s plans for police funding are inadequate for known demand and challenges and do not provide resilience to policing. 

“The new burdens from the Sentencing Review and Criminal Justice reform are not provided for. 

“It reveals the government plans to fund its 13,000 expansion of policing through savings made by forces and through council tax increases, and whilst cutting government grants in real terms as it does so. 

“As it stands, the supposed increase in core spending power is actually a real terms cut.

“I welcome the proposal of a new funding formula review. The Government must make sure that the system is properly funded whilst making sure no force is denuded of the resources that it needs.”