Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to support police forces to implement HIV awareness training to help reduce HIV related stigma and discrimination in the police; and if she will provide funding for that matter.

Individual police forces are responsible for setting standards and improving police training within the national Competence and Values Framework set by the College of Policing.

It is critical that the police have access to the most accurate and up to date information on HIV transmission, so that they can accurately assess any risks posed to their own safety in the course of their work and respond appropriately. This will also enable them to help reduce stigma and discrimination in the communities in which they work.

On the 4th February 2021, the Government published a total police funding settlement of up to £15.8 billion in 2021/22, an increase of up to £636 million compared to 2020/21. Overall police funding available to PCCs will increase by up to £703 million (5.4% in cash terms) next year.

Decisions about the allocation of police resources are for Chief Constables and democratically accountable PCCs.