Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Police Funding Formula

Monday 15 January 2024 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Progress has been made on reviewing the police funding formula, with Bedfordshire set to receive an extra 10.2 million in 2024-25, a 6.5% increase.
  • The Minister offered to meet with Bedfordshire MPs to discuss further increases in funding for Bedfordshire Police.
  • The Home Secretary acknowledged a decrease in theft offences by 47% since 2010 and highlighted the retail crime action plan and legislation passed in 2022.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Policing & Resources
Context

The MP noted a cross-party agreement that the current police funding formula is unfair, particularly affecting Bedfordshire. The Conservative PCC acknowledged there is little remaining for local policing.

Question

What progress has been made on reviewing the police funding formula? My constituents are fed up with being told they have never had it so good or receiving one-off grants. Will the Minister commit to a date to deliver a fair funding formula?

Answer from Chris Philp

An increase of £10.2 million is expected for Bedfordshire in 2024-25, which represents an extra 6.5% compared with this year. The police force will also have 1,455 officers, the highest number in its history.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to a specific date for delivering a fair funding formula.

How: The Answer Provided Statistics On Current Funding But Did Not Commit To A Timeline.

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Q2 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Policing & Resources
Context

Continuing from the previous exchange, the MP emphasized cross-party agreement on unfair police funding in Bedfordshire.

Question

The current funding formula is unfair for Bedfordshire. Will the Minister meet all Bedfordshire MPs to press the case for increases in funding for Bedfordshire Police?

Answer from Chris Philp

Bedfordshire Police will receive an extra £10.2 million next year, representing about 6.5% increase over the current year. This is welcome news for the county but I am happy to meet with my hon. Friend at any time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to a meeting with Bedfordshire MPs was not explicitly confirmed.

How: Providing Funding Statistics Without Committing To A Specific Meeting.

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Q3 Richard Fuller Con North Bedfordshire
Policing & Resources
Context

The MP noted cross-party concern over police underfunding in Bedfordshire.

Question

Bedfordshire Police is underfunded and there is a need for increased support. Will the Minister agree to meet all Bedfordshire MPs so we can press the case for more funding?

Answer from Chris Philp

I am always happy to meet my hon. Friend and I confirm that Bedfordshire Police will receive an extra £10.2 million next year, a 6.5% increase over the current year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to a meeting with all Bedfordshire MPs was not confirmed.

How: Providing Funding Statistics Without Committing To A Specific Meeting.

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Q4 Feryal Clark Lab Enfield North
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP highlighted serious concerns from police forces regarding the funding formula's impact on their ability to address town centre crime. Retail crime is increasing with over 850 violent incidents daily.

Question

Retail crime is out of control, harming shop workers. Will the Home Secretary accept Labour's plan for a new law protecting retail workers and acknowledge that current measures are insufficient?

Answer from Chris Philp

Theft offences have decreased by 47% since 2010. We have launched a retail crime action plan and legislated in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 to address these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to accepting Labour's proposed law on retail worker protection was not given.

How: Providing Statistics And Existing Measures Without Acknowledging The Specific Request.

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