Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Police Forces: Gloucestershire

Monday 31 March 2025 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Cameron Thomas asked the Minister about Gloucestershire constabulary's funding issues since 2015.
  • Lisa Smart raised concerns about the number of police officers on long-term sick leave.
  • The Minister highlighted the importance of the police covenant for officer wellbeing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Cameron Thomas Ind Tewkesbury
Policing & Resources
Context

Gloucestershire constabulary faces a £12 million deficit, resulting in the announcement of 60 staff cuts. The region has not recovered from previous funding cuts.

Question

I thank the Minister for her response. In 2015, Baroness May of Maidenhead accused police forces of “crying wolf” over funding cuts. Since then, Gloucestershire constabulary has never truly recovered and is among the worst funded in the country due to an unfit-for-purpose funding formula. Last week, the chief constable announced 60 staff cuts as she battles with a £12 million deficit. Will the Minister meet me and my chief constable to discuss those challenges?

Answer from The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)

Yes, of course I will.

Answered
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Q2 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Policing & Resources Mental Health
Context

Recent freedom of information figures show that more than 1,500 police officers are on long-term sick leave due to mental health issues.

Question

As the Minister has said, getting more bobbies on the beat in Gloucestershire and across the country is crucial to delivering the frontline policing that our communities deserve. However, recent freedom of information figures show that more than 1,500 police officers are stuck on long-term sick leave, including 148 in my own Greater Manchester police force. On the job, officers witness violent and traumatic events that can damage their mental health, but too many report being left without enough support. What plans does the Minister have to ensure that mental health support is good enough in the police? That is one of the ways to get officers fit for a return to work more quickly, to be part of restoring the proper community policing that our communities deserve.

Answer from The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)

The hon. Lady raises a very important point about the wellbeing of police officers and police staff. We have the police covenant, which is very important. I have already had the first meeting about the steps we are taking to improve work around the police covenant, but fundamentally occupational health is a matter for chief constables in their own forces. We are very keen that the work that has gone on to improve those occupational health standards continues and that the wellbeing of police officers is at the front and centre of our work, so that we have a healthy workforce to deliver for us on our safer streets mission.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific plans or commitments but acknowledged the importance of mental health support and occupational health standards.

How: Fundamental Attribution Error

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