Oral Answers to Questions

Mary Glindon Excerpts

Monday 15th April 2024 Commons Chamber

[Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Lab)]

15. What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of neighbourhood policing levels.

[Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)]

16. What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of neighbourhood policing levels.

[James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con)]

18. What steps he has taken to increase police visibility in local communities.

--- Later in debate ---

[Chris Philp]

I agree very strongly. The Labour PCC’s police station closure plans in the west midlands are shocking. This year, West Midlands police is getting an extra £50 million—a 6.8% increase and well above the rate of inflation. Tom Byrne would do an excellent job of making sure that that maintains frontline services, which is exactly how that money should be spent.

[Mary Glindon]

Northumbria police force has lost 11,000 officers and £148 million from its budget since 2010. Even after the uplift it will remain 427 officers short compared with 2010 levels. Will the Minister support the call from Northumbria’s PCC Kim McGuinness for further investigation into police resources as, clearly, not all areas of the country have benefited equally from the uplift programme?

[Chris Philp]

I am pleased to tell the House that for this financial year, which started just a couple of weeks ago, Northumbria force’s funding has gone up by £28 million —a 7.6% increase and more than double the rate of inflation. The resources are there, but using those resources wisely is a matter for police and crime commissioners. Conservative police and crime commissioners tend to spend those resources most wisely.