Call for the Chancellor to tackle Lincolnshire Police 'funding crisis' in Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being urged to tackle what the county’s police and crime commissioner calls “a funding crisis” at the Lincolnshire force.
Ahead of Mrs Reeves’s first Budget for the new Labour government on Wednesday, Mr Jones has issued a plea for fairer funding for Lincolnshire Police.
He says latest figures show the force faces a £17.5 million financial shortfall if the government fails to provide additional money to cover the police pay award for 2024, which amounted to a 4.75 per cent increase for all officers.
Even with that extra money, it will have to grapple with a £14 million funding gap, he says.
Mr Jones, who represents the Conservatives, has received support from all Lincolnshire MPs in his fight to get the county better funding. He feels the Budget could be a critical point in the battle.
Earlier this year, The Police Foundation, an independent think-tank, released figures which showed that Lincolnshire received funding of only £196 per head of population, compared to £246 in Humberside and £221 in Norfolk.
If Lincolnshire received the same per head of funding as Humberside, it would bring in an additional £38 million.
“For years, we have been fighting to get Whitehall to recognise that the outdated funding formula is unfairly penalising Lincolnshire, its police force and its residents,” said Mr Jones.
“Under the last government, there was universal recognition that it needed to be addressed, and a new formula was due to go out to national consultation.
“A change in government has brought the issue to a standstill, but the budget is a chance for the new Cabinet to make a clear statement on police funding. I sincerely hope it takes that opportunity.
“If not, then we face some very real and challenging decisions on how we manage a multi-million-pound funding shortfall. It’s hard to see how services can be maintained at their current level unless something changes.”
Lincolnshire’s Chief Constable, Paul Gibson, said: “I will continue to work alongside the police and crime commissioner to lobby government for a sustainable funding settlement.
“The force consistently strives to achieve greater efficiencies and provide the best value for money. However, it’s clear the current funding formula has meant we have been underfunded for many years.
“This funding formula needs to change. It is long overdue.”