Spending Review criticised by Tory police leaders in south
Reeves' comments were in response to Labour's London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan saying the Spending Review would lead to cuts to frontline policing. Police budgets are made up of funding from both central government and a portion of council tax called the police precept.PCCs can raise this precept by £14 a year for a Band D council tax bill without having to have a referendum. This is in addition to a 5% general rise."When they talk about spending power, that's predicated on me increasing council tax by £14 every year for the next three years on local taxpayers," said Barber."The chancellor says no tax rise is needed to fund her spending plans [but] she's simply passing the buck from one place to another, and taxpayers end up picking up the bill."
'Tough decisions'
Jones said the plan to increase neighbourhood policing by 13,000 officers was "now merely a pipe dream"."What it is going to mean is that smaller police forces across the country will probably be forced to reduce their head count for police officers, and probably entirely get rid of police community support officers," she said.Sidwick said Dorset residents "already pay over and above what other areas do for their police force" because rurality and seasonality were not considered in the funding formula."That is not right," he said."I understand there are tough decisions the government must make - we've had to make many in Dorset due to years of underfunding - but it is clear that serious and very real concerns from all corners of policing have once again not been heeded by those in power."The Home Office has been approached for comment.
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