Police Funding Allocation Review Sought by Thames Valley Commissioner

The police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley is requesting an urgent examination of how police funding is distributed, following the Budget announcement last week. Matthew Barber stated that the announced alterations to Employers’ National Insurance contributions are anticipated to create a shortfall of approximately £1.3 million. In an open letter addressed to the Home Office, he communicated that the force is now confronting “an acute problem,” which is compounded by an “unfair funding arrangement.” A Home Office spokesperson, however, asserted that last week’s Budget provided “real increases in funding for policing.” Police funding is derived from a government grant and also from a portion of the council tax collected annually. The sum received by each force from the government is determined by a complex formula that takes into account various factors, including population. In his letter, Mr Barber explained that because any additional funding intended to cover the increases in Employers’ National Insurance contributions would be based on the existing funding formula, it would still result in a deficit for them. He appealed to the Home Office to “rapidly reconsider the way in which in-year adjustments to police funding are allocated.” He also noted that the pay rise announced for police officers over the summer had similarly affected the force’s financial health. “Whilst I welcome an increase in officers pay to recognise the difficult and dangerous work they undertake and to aid with recruitment and retention; again, because of the Home Office’s flawed funding formula, the pay rise was not fully funded by the Home Office, but cost the force £1.9m locally.” He added: “Choices made by this government since the election will leave tax payers in the Thames Valley with an additional pressure of £3.2m next year.” He continued: “This is before the usual pressures of inflation, the need to invest in new technology and to respond to changes in crime trends.” He concluded this point by stating: “This is the equivalent of a reduction of at least 66 police officers.” The commissioner mentioned his diligent efforts to increase officer numbers at the commencement of the financial year, noting that he had successfully doubled the contingent of officers assigned to neighbourhood policing. He further stated that should he be compelled to request additional funds from the Thames Valley public via their council tax, his aim would be to “demonstrate greater capacity and capability for frontline policing,” instead of having “to increase tax locally to pay for another tax rise imposed by the Treasury.” A Home Office spokesperson responded by saying: “Thames Valley Police will receive up to £586.6m in funding in 2024-25.” The spokesperson added: “This is in addition to £5m provided for the 2024-25 pay award which has been allocated outside of the police funding settlement.”