Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what funding is being made available to Operation Grange into the disappearance of Madeline McCann in the financial year 2024–25; how many police officers are currently involved in the investigation; when the next review of funding will occur; and what are the total costs of the police operation to date.

For the year 2024-25 the Home Office has agreed to provide up to £192,000 to the Metropolitan Police Service through Special Grant funding for Operation Grange, the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. At 31 March 2024, the total cost of the investigation was £13.2m.

Operation Grange’s Special Grant budget currently funds a team of three police officers and one member of police staff, all of whom operate on a part-time basis.

Special Grant funding is reviewed annually by the Home Office. The Department also liaises regularly with the Operation Grange investigation team to assess progress and challenge the use of funds as necessary.