Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Esther McVey Excerpts
Monday 12th December 2011

(12 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Herbert of South Downs Portrait Nick Herbert
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I will write to the hon. Gentleman with that information.

Esther McVey Portrait Esther McVey (Wirral West) (Con)
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May I draw attention to the Merseyside police force and how it has handled staffing changes and efficiency savings over the past year? Not only has the force hit all its targets, but crime is down 3%, antisocial behaviour is down 6%, and public confidence is up 5%, so despite the scaremongering from the Opposition, it is possible to have efficiency savings and a decrease in crime.

Theresa May Portrait Mrs May
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I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to the work that is being done by the Merseyside force in relation to the savings that it is making in its budgets. As Chief Constable Jon Murphy has said,

“It’s not salami slicing but re-engineering the whole organisation.”

As my hon. Friend has shown, that can be done effectively, saving money but providing a good service to the public. [Interruption.]