Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the funds raised from the increase in firearms licensing fees will be ringfenced for administering firearms licensing.

On 15 January, the Government laid a statutory instrument before Parliament that will increase fees charged by police forces to provide full-cost recovery for firearms licensing applications. The new fees will come into force on 5 February.

It is essential for both public safety and police efficiency that full cost recovery fees are introduced so that service improvements can be made. I have therefore written to all Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables to make clear that the income from increased fees must be used to ensure their firearms licensing teams are properly resourced and trained for this purpose.

Other manifesto commitments under the Safer Streets mission will be delivered through alternative funding routes.