Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Ben Lake Excerpts
Thursday 14th March 2019

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Ben Lake Portrait Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC)
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May we have a debate on the way in which police forces are funded, and the Government assumptions that underpin decisions on funding? For instance, council tax will contribute 1.9% of the funding for police forces in England, but 4.4% of the funding for those in Wales. This matter needs to be considered urgently. It cannot be right that local taxation in Wales is expected to shoulder a heavier burden to deal with UK-wide issues such as county lines which should be addressed by the central police grant.

Andrea Leadsom Portrait Andrea Leadsom
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The hon. Gentleman has raised a very important point that is specific to Wales. As he will know, overall we have protected police funding since 2015 and next year there will be up to £970 million of extra investment in the policing system, but if he wants me to take up his specific point about Wales, perhaps he will write to me following business questions.