Cuts Have Consequences for Policing across England and Wales

4 February 2025

Underfunded police forces have been left reliant on “sticking plaster” solutions that provide no long-term confidence, Kent Police Federation is warning.

Federation Chair Neil Mennie said many forces were “staggering along” and unable to plan as their finances were so unsure.

Chief Constables in Essex, Lincolnshire and West Mercia all announced plans to dramatically slash their workforces in a bid to balance the books last week.

The Government later revealed it would be investing £100m into neighbourhood policing, but Neil suggested this just kicked the can down the road.

He said: “The funding of forces is complex and needs looking at to make it a fairer process.

“Relying on various grants and council tax precept increases is a bitter pill to swallow and looks like a series of short term sticking plasters.”

Policing Minister Diana Johnson said at the end of January that forces across England and Wales faced “difficult and challenging circumstances”.

She claimed the Labour administration was “starting from a difficult position” after 14 years under the Conservatives.

Neil said it was an “understatement” to say forces were facing a challenging time, with Kent Police facing an estimated budget shortfall of almost £11m.

While he welcomed having more officers via the Uplift programme, Neil said it was becoming tougher to pay their salaries.

Neil explained: “The recent uplift of officers has to be maintained or else financial penalties in  a reduction of the supporting grant will follow.

“Having more officers is vital but not where you can’t afford them and end up considering reducing head count to assist in making savings.”

The Federation Chair said boosting neighbourhood policing was a “very welcome move”, however there were many other areas of policing that required significant investment.

He added: “Balancing those finite resources is becoming something of a juggling act and it's getting harder to keep all of those balls in the air.

“Rather than being able to plan with any confidence, forces are staggering along from one year to the next with very little certainty.

“This will end up placing additional demand on officers and risks the future of our civilian colleagues who are working to reduce that demand