The recent announcement by the government regarding the funding for police forces in England and Wales has stirred discussions about the future of public safety and the financial implications for homeowners. Under the new provisions set for the fiscal year 2025-26, police forces are earmarked to receive a substantial cumulative budget totaling £17.4 billion, reflecting an increase of approximately £986.9 million, or about 3.5%, from the previous year’s budget. However, this financial elevation comes with nuances that have left both supporters and detractors weighing in on the matter.
A significant portion of this funding increase is contingent on a proposed council tax hike imposed by police and crime commissioners (PCCs). Specifically, it is suggested that PCCs could potentially raise council tax by £14 for an average Band D property, thereby shifting part of the financial responsibility from government allocations to local taxpayers. Home Office Minister Diana Johnson emphasized that the provisional funding settlement aims to balance the need for effective policing with the responsibility to taxpayers in her statements to Parliament.
In contrast, the Liberal Democrats, through their home affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart, criticized this approach as a misallocation of responsibility. Smart argued that the government should ensure proper funding directly to police forces instead of passing the burden onto local authorities and taxpayers. This sentiment reflects growing concerns among communities that are not only expected to shoulder potential higher taxation but also face the impact of reduced policing resources if funding issues persist.
The chief inspector of constabulary, Andy Cooke, has also voiced his concerns, describing the existing police funding formula as outdated and disproportionately favoring wealthier police forces. Cooke’s comments highlight a critical issue where some areas—traditionally inner cities like Cleveland, Merseyside, Manchester, and the West Midlands—struggle to raise adequate funds from council tax due to less property-valued homes. This deepening divide raises critical questions about equitable policing services across different regions and highlights the inherent flaws in a funding model that relies heavily on local taxation.
Focusing on the financial details, the government’s proposed funding plan includes £230.3 million intended to offset recent pay increases for police personnel as well as additional costs stemming from increased employer taxes introduced in the Budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Significant changes in national insurance contributions will require employers to pay at higher rates on salaries above certain thresholds, compounding the financial challenges faced by police forces.
Moreover, the settlement incorporates £100 million aimed at fulfilling a commitment made by the Labour government to recruit 13,000 additional neighborhood police officers. This brings the total policing budget, inclusive of local force funding, to approximately £19.5 billion, which still represents a real-term increase of 3% compared to the previous year. However, substantial concerns loom about whether these increases will be sustainable long-term.
The structure of the council tax increments permits PCCs to raise taxes without local referendum approval, which is a point of contention among residents wary of increased financial burdens. Currently, PCCs serve 39 areas throughout England and Wales and are elected every four years. In the previous budget period, they were allowed to implement a rise of £13 without a public vote—a mechanism that, while practical for funding necessities, can lead to dissatisfaction among taxpayers.
Fears regarding the viability of neighborhood policing have been echoed by several senior officials, including Sir Mark Rowley, head of the Metropolitan Police, who indicated that if shortfalls in their budget remain unaddressed, layoffs could exceed 2,700 positions by 2025. Similarly, Paul Gibson, chief constable of Lincolnshire, highlighted his force’s increased challenges correlating to a significant population rise without commensurate funding, indicating an urgent need for an additional £57 million over the next three-and-a-half years to sustain operations effectively.
In conclusion, the government’s approach to police funding, with its proposed council tax increases and reliance on local financial resources, unveils a complex interplay of public safety, community responsibility, and the realities of governance. As stakeholders, from local authorities to community members, digest these proposals, it becomes increasingly clear that navigating the future of police funding will necessitate a thoughtful and collaborative approach to ensure public safety remains a priority without overburdening taxpayers.
