Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Richard Fuller Excerpts
Monday 15th January 2024

(10 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chris Philp Portrait Chris Philp
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What I will commit to, as far as the people of Bedfordshire are concerned, is an increase in funding of £10.2 million for next year, 2024-25. That is an extra 6.5% compared with this year. They will also have 1,455 police officers. That is about 200 more than Bedfordshire’s police force has ever had at any time in its history.

Richard Fuller Portrait Richard Fuller (North East Bedfordshire) (Con)
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It is not unusual to hear from two Bedfordshire MPs when it comes to the police funding formula, because this goes all the way back to the last Labour Government, but there is a cross-party view in Bedfordshire that our police force is underfunded. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet all Bedfordshire MPs so that we can press the case for increases in funding for Bedfordshire Police?

Chris Philp Portrait Chris Philp
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I am always happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss these issues. As I say, Bedfordshire Police will receive an extra £10.2 million next year—an increase of about 6.5%—which I am sure will be welcome up and down the county, but I am of course happy to meet my hon. Friend whenever he would like.