Stormont stalemate could mean £20m cut from PSNI budget
Police Federation does not rule out job losses
The PSNI may have to make cuts of £20m from next month because of Northern Ireland’s uncertain political situation.
The force says it’s facing a 3% budget cut.
In a statement it says the Stormont stalemate was making long-term budget planning difficult.
Mark Lindsay, chairman of the Police Federation, has not ruled out job losses.
“We don’t think there is room for cuts,” he said. “For the last number of years they have not only cut to the bone – they have cut into the bone.”
A statement from the PSNI said: “PSNI has been asked by the Department of Justice to provide a profile of expenditure for 2017-18 based on a net 3% reduction on opening budgets.
“This work has been completed but only at a very high level and further work will continue until an agreed budget is in place.
“It is up to the politicians to set the budgets and we will work within the funding envelope which we are given, however ongoing uncertainty makes long-term planning more difficult so we look forward to a budget being set as soon as possible.''