West Mercia PCC says police spending increase not enough
A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said the increase in police funding announced in the chancellor's Spending Review would not be enough to prevent cuts.The government said the "spending power" of police forces would go up by an average 2.3% per year in real terms by 2029, assuming local taxes go up too.But John Campion, the Conservative PCC for West Mercia, said policing had been "short-changed".He said financial pressures were likely to lead to police officers having to fill in for office-based staff.
Yesterday, Mr Campion said the force and his office were looking to cut staffing costs to reduce their budgets.That could mean staff working fewer hours or choosing to leave their jobs in return for a payout.Speaking after the spending announcements by Rachel Reeves, he said: "Whilst more money is available, it's simply not enough at a time when pressure on the police has never been greater as we balance inflation, pay rises, National Insurance contributions and demand."He also said West Mercia Police did not "receive its fair share of government funding".
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