APCC response to Budget announcements
Responding to today’s Budget, APCC Chair, Marc Jones and APCC Finance Lead, Roger Hirst said:
“We welcome today’s Budget announcements and see it as a really good outcome for policing, with investment to fully deliver on the Police Uplift Programme bringing more police officers onto our streets to fight crime and keep our communities safe.
“The budget also gives flexibility to enable PCCs to raise the local policing precept, bring further investment into policing at a local level to deliver on the public’s priorities.
“A three-year funding settlement allows for strategic medium to long term planning so forces can focus on resourcing priority crimes like violence against women and girls and county lines.
“We also welcome the additional investment in criminal justice and victims’ services. We want to see the backlogs reduced in the courts and for victims to feel safe and confident to report crime and see justice done. The new funding will allow Police and crime Commissioners to work with criminal justice partners and victims’ services to deliver real improvements on the ground.
“There was also good news on pay for police officers and staff, with the releasing of the public sector pay freeze and the return to independent bodies recommending levels of settlement. This means PCCs and Chief Constables can now have constructive conversations with Police officers and staff on pay increases.
“The Chancellor has recognised the police’s contribution during the pandemic and their selfless contribution day in day out to keep our communities safe. We know the public want to see more investment and support for policing services and we will continue to work with the Home Office and NPCC ahead of the police Settlement announcement in December.”