APCC responds to Chancellor's Spending Review
The APCC has responded to today's Spending Review announcement.
Roger Hirst, APCC Finance Lead, said:
"Police and Crime Commissioners welcome the Government’s commitment to investing in the ongoing plan to recruit an additional 20,000 police officers.
"Together with the Home Office and Chief Constables, we put across what we believe to be a strong case. We must all recognise the challenges we face from Covid-19 and its impact on the public finances. We are pleased the Treasury has understood the importance of investment in safe and secure communities as the basis for economic recovery in this Spending Review.
"While we await the detail which will come with the Provisional Police Funding Settlement next month, PCCs will be consulting with Chief Constables and local people on whether to take advantage of the flexibility to increase council tax precepts by up to £15 for a Band D household in 2021-22."
Paddy Tipping, Deputy Finance Lead, added:
"We welcome the continued investment in the Police Uplift Programme which is bringing much needed new police officers into our communities. It is disappointing though that most existing police officers and staff will see their pay frozen this year. They have been on the frontline working with the public throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and deserve to be recognised for their efforts."