Police Funding Formula 2023-11-27
2023-11-27
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the current police funding distribution and its impact on local forces. There are specific issues regarding promised draft proposals for a new funding formula.
What progress has been made on reviewing the police funding formula? Suffolk police were promised draft proposals back in January, but they have not yet received them. I urge to get those to our local force as quickly as possible and work with it to improve out-of-court disposals.
Suffolk police currently have 1,425 officers, which is more than at any time in their history. The number of out-of-court disposals has an important role to play, particularly in treating drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues. I will work with Suffolk and other forces to ensure these are widely used.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific draft proposals for the review were not addressed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns persist about the impact of police funding on local forces, particularly in relation to out-of-court disposals. There is a need for improved communication between central government and local police.
I am most grateful for the answer provided earlier. However, it remains concerning that Suffolk police were promised draft proposals back in January. Can you get those to our local force as quickly as possible? Also, work with them to improve out-of-court disposals which would relieve pressure on officers.
Suffolk police currently have 1,425 officers, which is a record high. I support out-of-court disposals as they address drug and alcohol addiction, mental health issues effectively. Work with Suffolk and other forces to ensure these are widely used.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific draft proposals for the review were not addressed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Neighbourhood policing has seen significant cuts since 2010, despite its advantages. Reforming the police funding formula is needed but reforming POCA rules could quickly allocate more funds to neighbourhood policing.
Since 2010, neighbourhood policing has been decimated despite its benefits. We desperately need reforms in the police funding formula. However, one quick way for the Government to get cash to forces for neighbourhood policing is by reforming POCA rules so that more money goes back to the confiscating force. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this?
I am happy to discuss POCA with the hon. Gentleman and colleagues. However, there is a definitional confusion about neighbourhood policing as it includes local police officers in response teams. In 2015, there were 61,083 officers in local roles; now there are 67,785. Overall, we have 149,566 officers across England and Wales, which is a record high.
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Assessment & feedback
Discussion of specific POCA rule changes was not addressed
Response accuracy