Thames Valley PCC warns of redundancies following spending review
Matthew Barber is calling for a fully funded pay rise for police officers
The Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner says that without a fully funded pay rise for police officers, there could be redundancies across the force.
It follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcement in the Spending Review as the Government plans to increase police spending by an average of 2.3 per year - the equivalent of £2bn.
Conservative PCC, Matthew Barber for Thames Valley, says he’s “hugely disappointed” by the Spending Review.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, he said: “Undoubtedly, we will have to cut more money out of our budgets.
“I will seek to do everything we can to make sure that doesn't impact frontline officers, but we've already taken £20 million out of Thames Valley Police in the last couple of years, that follows taking around £100 million out of the organisation over the years prior to that.
“There is only so much more we can take out of Thames Valley Police without impacting on frontline policing.”
He added: “I'm really concerned that if we see an unfunded pay rise for police officers…which undoubtedly police officers will deserve, that just puts pressure on the whole organisation.
“If we have to pay even more, but don't get the money for it, then ultimately that probably means less people in the organisation.”
Mr Barber also says, “it risks damaging the effectiveness of policing across the country”.
He added: “Once the expected police pay rise is taken into account this is likely to be a real terms cut in funding for police forces such as Thames Valley.
“Today’s announcement leaves the Government’s Safer Streets Mission in tatters.”
We’ve approached the Treasury for a comment.