Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Police Leadership Commission Report

06 July 2026 · 20 other contributors

Opened by Sarah Jones Lab Croydon Central

Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law Enforcement

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Sarah Jones raised concerns about police leadership commission report in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister Sarah Jones acknowledged the significant role of police officers and staff in society.
  • She noted a strain on public trust due to outdated systems and structures in recent years.
  • The Home Secretary announced reforms to ensure effective policing at local and national levels.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Sarah Jones

The minister, Sarah Jones from Croydon Central, opened her statement by acknowledging the significant role of police officers and staff in society. She highlighted that despite their efforts, recent years have seen a strain on public trust due to outdated systems and structures. The Home Secretary's announcement of reforms aims to ensure effective policing at both local and national levels. Jones emphasised the importance of strong leadership within police forces, citing an independent review by Lord Blunkett and Lord Herbert which highlighted concerns around consistency, capability, and culture in police leadership. She welcomed 27 recommendations from the review, including a formal senior constable rank, professional digital passports for all individuals in policing, and reforms to promotion processes. Jones committed to advancing these measures to improve public confidence and police performance while upholding British policing principles.

Other contributors (20)
  • David Anderson Con Cornwall

    Question

    How will the Government ensure that all police forces across England and Wales adopt and implement the commission's recommendations uniformly?

    Minister reply

    The Minister responded by stating that while each force will need to tailor the implementation of the recommendations to their specific context, the national police service will play a role in promoting ethical policing at a national level. The Government aims to support forces in adopting consistent standards through its reforms.

  • Maggie Throup Lab Erewash

    Question

    What measures are being taken to improve the leadership development for frontline officers and staff?

    Minister reply

    The Minister highlighted several recommendations from the report, including a new police leadership fast stream and a targeted direct entry scheme aimed at filling gaps in policing with leaders from transferable skill sets. These initiatives aim to support frontline officers and staff in their career progression.

  • Robin Walker Con Worcester

    Question

    How will the new senior appointments panel contribute to enhancing public confidence in police leadership?

    Minister reply

    The Minister explained that the senior appointments panel is a key measure designed to improve public trust by ensuring that senior positions are filled with individuals who have demonstrated strong leadership qualities and a commitment to ethical policing.

  • Matt Vickers

    Question

    The MP thanked the Minister, noting the report's focus on public confidence in policing. He highlighted the alarming statistic that only 13% of constables and 17% of sergeants believe they work in a well-led organisation. Matt criticised the fall in officer numbers and technology use and called for stronger leadership to be matched with adequate resources.

    Minister reply

    The Minister thanked Matt for his comments, agreeing on the need for cross-party support. She noted that while 20,000 officers were cut and then re-recruited by Conservatives, they are now being moved from desks to frontline positions. The £75 million investment in PoliceAI aims to streamline bureaucracy.

  • Jonathan Hinder

    Question

    The MP acknowledged the focus on police leadership and asked for reassurance that changes would be made to improve delivery of public priorities.

    Minister reply

    The Minister assured that they will ensure officers are trained properly, have sound judgment, and are freed from bureaucracy to make decisions. She recommended reading the report.

  • Will Forster

    Question

    The MP thanked Lords Blunkett and Herbert for their report on police leadership challenges and asked about plans to increase officer numbers and address poor leadership standards.

    Minister reply

    The Minister confirmed that the review will inform future legislation, including root-and-branch reform. She committed to working with the Police Federation on data regarding police suicide and improving wellbeing support.

  • Graham Stringer Lab Blackley and Broughton

    Question

    I am supportive of Stephen Watson, the chief constable of Greater Manchester. It is important to have the right person in the position of chief constable, as we have had issues with previous chiefs such as James Anderton, Peter Fahy, and Ian Hopkins.

    Minister reply

    I agree with my hon. Friend. We need a national body to help with recruitment for chief constables and give the Home Secretary new powers to remove them in extreme circumstances.

  • Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough

    Question

    We have been campaigning for years to avoid 400 job losses, and now we have £12 million extra a year. We are losing our police and crime commissioner Marc Jones, and his powers will be transferred to the mayor. Can you comment on this issue?

    Minister reply

    I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his words about the funding for Lincolnshire. The review by Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe will look at the structures in a reformed police force that would sit between a national police service and local police areas.

  • Janet Daby

    Question

    Many children of my ethnic descent experience being over-policed and under-protected. A report showed black children are more likely than white children to be strip-searched. How will the Government strategy address that?

    Minister reply

    We will look at the powers on children and strip-searching, as mentioned in our manifesto. We also need to improve data consistency for better decision-making.

  • Andrew Mitchell Con Sutton Coldfield

    Question

    The police lack consistent high-quality leadership. Will you explore further the benefits of having a professional officer corps within the police, and consider bringing in military officers to senior levels?

    Minister reply

    We are open to looking at secondment for police leaders in other sectors and direct entry from similar roles. The report suggests interesting new ranks such as senior constable.

  • Tom Rutland

    Question

    Trust in policing is essential, but it has been tested too many times. Strong ethical leadership is fundamental to rebuilding public confidence. Does the police leadership commission report provide an important opportunity?

    Minister reply

    The report is strong on the importance of good ethical policing and resetting our police leadership culture around high performance, cutting crime, and keeping people safe.

  • Luke Taylor

    Question

    Does the proposed police reorganisation ensure effective leadership and development to break out of the current situation?

    Minister reply

    Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe’s work is looking at the layers between police forces. We need reform to face the future, but there are different ways to approach this issue.

  • John Slinger

    Question

    Welcomes the report and acknowledges the senior leadership of Warwickshire police, also mentions his good relationship with a Conservative police and crime commissioner. Questions if no officer should fear improvements in leadership.

    Minister reply

    Agrees that reforms are there to support officers without fearing change, discusses removal of police and crime commissioners but their continued collaboration for reform.

  • Oliver Dowden Con Hertsmere

    Question

    Questions if lack of clarity from the Government on what is expected of the police contributes to leadership malaise. Discusses two objectives: cutting crime and supporting officers.

    Minister reply

    Agrees that policing should be without fear or favour, but disagrees with analysis about good leadership. Stresses importance of training and setting consistent standards.

  • Alex Mayer

    Question

    Asks about steps being taken to ensure the governance of the national police service is fit for purpose.

    Minister reply

    Highlights need for consistent standards, training and support for officers to cut crime and keep people safe.

  • Robert Jenrick Con Newark

    Question

    Discusses an incident where a white man was assaulted by two black men but arrested instead. Asks if this is another case of two-tier policing.

    Minister reply

    Emphasises that police must treat everyone equally under the law and stresses need for good leadership, training and support.

  • Christopher Vince

    Question

    Asks what reforms will be implemented to ensure officers can do their job without barriers.

    Minister reply

    Highlights the need to reduce bureaucracy so that police can focus on cutting crime and keeping people safe.

  • Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire

    Question

    Suggests against introducing a new rank and emphasises the importance of improving top leadership quality. Suggests direct entry schemes for senior roles from armed forces.

    Minister reply

    Discusses case for new rank of senior constable, mentions targeted direct entry schemes as an opportunity.

  • Vikki Slade

    Question

    Points out the lack of fresh ideas and potential for nepotism in leadership positions due to small candidate pool.

    Minister reply

    Acknowledges the problem of few applicants for chief constable roles, stresses need for multiple candidates to aspire to these positions.

Shadow Comment

Matt Vickers

Matt Vickers acknowledged the minister's statement and the report by Lord Blunkett and Lord Herbert, recognising both outstanding leadership in policing and incidents that have eroded public trust. He emphasised that true police leadership must focus on preventing crime and upholding the law without compromise. The shadow response highlighted alarming findings from the report, such as only 13% of constables and 17% of sergeants believing they work in a well-led organisation. Vickers welcomed recommendations on merit-based promotion but noted contradictions with wider police reforms. He also critiqued recent political decisions that have reduced officer numbers and hindered technology implementation, making it difficult for police leaders to succeed.

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