Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Police Officer Numbers 2026-07-13

Monday 13 July 2026 · 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 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister confirmed there were 146,868 full-time equivalent police officers in England and Wales in September 2024 and 145,550 in September 2025.
  • The Government announced funding for an additional 500 police officers.
  • The outdated funding formula is being reviewed as part of a reform programme.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Whittingdale Con Maldon
Policing & Resources
Context

MP asked about the number of police officers in his constituency and how it changed over time.

Question

What estimate her Department has made of the number of police officers in September 2024 and 2025. The Minister confirmed a reduction under this Government, and there are concerns that becoming part of a regional force will decrease public confidence.

Answer from Sarah Jones

In England and Wales, there were 146,868 full-time equivalent police officers as of September 2024 and 145,550 police officers as of September 2025. This Government are focused on putting officers where the public expect to see them: back on the frontline.

Answered
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Q2 John Whittingdale Con Maldon
Policing & Resources
Context

MP expressed concerns that the proposed regional police force would reduce public confidence due to less accountability.

Question

How does merging Essex into a regional force increase public confidence in policing when there is already concern about fewer officers?

Answer from Sarah Jones

This morning we announced funding for an additional 500 police officers. A review by Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe is looking at both local policing units and regional-level units, including the national police service.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to improve public confidence not provided

How: Under Review

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Q3 Luke Myer Lab
Policing & Resources
Context

MP welcomed new officers in Cleveland but requested an overhaul of the national police funding formula to support local needs.

Question

The MP welcomed the addition of 48 neighbourhood officers, but asked for clarification on when the outdated funding formula will be changed and more officers deployed.

Answer from Sarah Jones

The funding formula is outdated. We are reviewing it as part of our reform programme. As soon as we have an announcement, we will bring it forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Timeline for changing the funding formula not provided

How: Under Review

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Q4 Matt Vickers Con
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

MP questioned the decrease in police numbers under the current government despite Labour's promise to increase them, citing a specific drop of 1,318 officers.

Question

The MP highlighted that under the previous Government, police numbers reached a record high but have since fallen. He asked if the Minister is doing anything to protect response policing officer numbers.

Answer from Sarah Jones

The previous Government cut police officers by 20,000 before recruiting 20,000 and putting 12,000 behind desks. We have put 1,300 officers back on the streets, with a goal of adding 13,000 more by the end of this Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Measures to protect response policing officer numbers not specified

How: Under Review, Comparison

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