Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Police: Efficiency and Resourcing

Monday 19 December 2022 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Home Secretary is focusing on reducing bureaucracy and increasing police numbers.
  • Home Office is planning to publish a fraud strategy to tackle prevention and law enforcement responses.
  • Government is addressing concerns over degree requirements for police recruitment by designing a new non-degree entry route.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rob Butler
Policing & Resources
Context

The MP is concerned about improving efficiency and resource allocation in the police force, emphasizing the need to support officers effectively.

Question

What steps she is taking to improve (a) efficiency and (b) resourcing of the police force?

Answer from Suella Braverman

Our police force is one of the best in the world. I am stripping out unnecessary bureaucracy and boosting numbers, as evidenced by Cumbria police having over 1,000 officers with more to come next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to improve efficiency were not detailed

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Q2 Simon Fell
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP highlights the prevalence of fraud in modern crimes, emphasizing the need for a new policing model to address this growing threat.

Question

I thank the Home Secretary for her response. Around 40% of today's crimes are fraud but only about 1% of police resources tackle that issue. Can my right hon. and learned Friend please outline what steps are being taken in the Home Office to review capability and resourcing, and when we can expect to see the fraud plan published?

Answer from Suella Braverman

Tackling fraud requires a unified response. We will publish the fraud strategy focusing on prevention and law enforcement responses soon. Some progress includes the Metropolitan police's largest anti-fraud operation targeting iSpoof, resulting in 100 arrests.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or detailed steps outlined for reviewing capability and resources

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Q3 Rob Butler
Policing & Resources
Context

The MP notes concerns about police officers being required to spend significant time on training, hindering their availability for duties. The current requirement for a graduate programme is questioned.

Question

I welcome the investment in Thames Valley Police with over 600 new officers but because they are required to attend training courses, only 80% of their time can be dedicated to police work. Can she explain what progress she is making to achieve that change and how it will benefit policing?

Answer from Suella Braverman

I am addressing concerns regarding degree requirements. I instructed the College of Policing to design options for a new non-degree entry route, ensuring more choices for chief constables in recruitment and building a police force fit for the future.

Answered
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Q4 Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Local residents in Barnsley are concerned about antisocial behaviour such as fly-tipping and arson, exacerbated by cuts to police forces over the past decade.

Question

Across Barnsley local people are concerned about antisocial behaviour from fly-tipping to arson. With police forces having seen cuts in the past 12 years, what are the Government doing to support them so that they have the personnel and resources to tackle antisocial behaviour?

Answer from Suella Braverman

Antisocial behaviour is a focus for neighbourhood policing, requiring increased numbers of officers on frontline. This means responding quickly to crime, antisocial behaviour, burglary, vandalism, and graffiti across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific measures or resources detailed

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Q5 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP is concerned about the loss of Richmond police station, budget cuts for local policing, and officers being pulled away to support central London events.

Question

Does the Home Secretary agree that a visible, regular local presence would help Met Police build trust with Londoners, and will she support the Liberal Democrats' call for a return to community policing and put an end to police station closures?

Answer from Suella Braverman

The Lib Dems should stop their opposition and support the Government's plan for increased police numbers. The Mayor of London has a poor record on rising crime in London, especially knife crime.

Not addressed: Direct attack on Liberal Democrats instead of addressing the issue

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Q6 Naseem Shah Lab Bradford West
Policing & Resources
Context

The MP criticizes recent police grants, pointing to a £62 million fall in core Government funding for the police during an economic crisis.

Question

Last week's police grants saw core Government funding for the police fall by £62 million. Can the Home Secretary explain these cuts or is this just a case of her Government's abject failure?

Answer from Suella Braverman

This Government propose £17.2 billion in total police funding for 2023-24, an increase of up to £287 million compared with 2022-23. Assuming full take-up of the precept flexibility, overall police funding available to PCCs will increase by up to £523 million next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Explanation provided but does not directly address cuts mentioned in question

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