Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Rosie Cooper Excerpts
Monday 6th July 2015

(8 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mike Penning Portrait Mike Penning
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My ministerial colleagues and the Secretary of State have many conversations with their French counterparts at all levels, particularly in Calais.

Rosie Cooper Portrait Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab)
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19. The Lancashire police federation is clear that further cuts to police budgets will soon result in policing becoming reactive, with only the capacity to deal with 999 calls. Given that 83% of Lancashire police’s work does not generate a crime number, who is going to pick up the work that the police cannot do because of the cuts?

Mike Penning Portrait Mike Penning
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What we have proven since 2010 is that police forces can do better with less and they are being much more efficient around the country, including Lancashire where crime is down by 10%. The funding formula for 2015-16 is out, so forces know exactly what they can spend, and the 2016-17 consultation will start soon. You never know: Cleveland may do better. There will be winners and losers, but I hope it will be fairer.