Police: Expenditure Cuts

Lord Kennedy of Southwark Excerpts

Tuesday 15th March 2011 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what impact the proposed cuts to the police service funding will have on operational effectiveness.

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire]

My Lords, I welcome back this familiar question in a slightly different form; no doubt we will see it again. The Government believe that police forces can make the necessary savings while protecting front-line services and operational effectiveness. Last year’s HMIC report identified £1.1 billion of savings that could be made while maintaining police availability. We have identified significant further savings, including through better procurement and sensible pay restraint.

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark]

I thank the Minister for his reply. Before the general election, the leader of his party—now the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Nick Clegg—promised to recruit an extra 10,000 police officers. The reality, as a result of decisions that the Government have taken, is that we will have 10,000 fewer police officers. Is this not another example of the Deputy Prime Minister saying one thing to get elected and another when elected?