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Police in England and Wales to get 5% funding cut Police in England and Wales to get 5% funding cut
(35 minutes later)
Police forces in England and Wales will have their central government funding cut by almost 5% in the next financial year, the Home Office has confirmed.Police forces in England and Wales will have their central government funding cut by almost 5% in the next financial year, the Home Office has confirmed.
Policing minister Mike Penning said there would be a cash reduction of £299m in the overall 2015-16 police funding budget, compared with 2014-15.Policing minister Mike Penning said there would be a cash reduction of £299m in the overall 2015-16 police funding budget, compared with 2014-15.
But the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will get a £30m funding boost to take on more work.But the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will get a £30m funding boost to take on more work.
On Monday, the Met Police commissioner said forces should share resources. Labour said the government had "systematically undermined" policing.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the 43 forces in England and Wales faced "years of more austerity and shrinking budgets" and needed to merge with other emergency services. Mr Penning said spending of £8.19bn in 2015-16 was a real-terms reduction of 4.9%, "maintaining" a level of cuts announced by Chancellor George Osborne last year.
More investigations He said the 43 forces in England and Wales were facing "many challenges" but the government would always ensure they had the "resources they need for their important work".
Mr Penning said he had taken the decision to maintain a 4.9% real terms reduction in light of the chancellor's Autumn Statement and inflation forecasts. Some funding has been allocated for specific areas where Mr Penning believes there is a "national policing interest".
It will be the second year in a row the IPCC will receive a cash boost. This includes "maintaining funding for counter-terrorism policing of at least £564m", allocating £70m to the Police Innovation Fund and the extra money for the IPCC.
In 2014-15 the IPCC doubled its numbers of investigations staff, and is on course to start almost twice the number of cases compared to last year, Mr Penning said. 'Going backwards'
The £30m extra cash for 2015-16 would allow the commission to deliver "significantly more independent investigations", he added. It is the second consecutive annual funding increase for the IPCC.
In 2014-15 the organisation doubled its number of investigations staff, and is on course to start almost twice the number of cases compared to last year, Mr Penning said.
The £30m extra for 2015-16 would allow it to deliver "significantly more independent investigations," he added.
Labour's shadow policing minister Jack Dromey said: "The British model of policing, neighbourhood policing and building a real relationship with local communities is being systematically undermined by the Tories.
"Already we are seeing progress in tackling emerging crimes and in getting justice for victims going backwards, while response times to 999 calls for help are up to 30% longer."
He said Labour would abolish police and crime commissioners and require forces to work together to "make the savings they need".
All forces in England and Wales will have their funding cut by the same percentage.
The chief constable of Lincolnshire had previously warned his force would be "unviable" in three years due to cuts.
On Monday, the Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said forces faced "years of more austerity and shrinking budgets" and needed to merge with other emergency services.
Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said there is "more that can be done" on police forces working together and sharing technology and procurement services.Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said there is "more that can be done" on police forces working together and sharing technology and procurement services.