Policing At Risk Of Not Being Able To Fund Itself

13 June 2025

The Government’s announcement of a 2.3% funding increase means policing is moving further away from being able to deliver the service the public wants, Surrey Police Federation has said.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in Parliament on Wednesday that policing will be given an extra 2.3% funding in real terms each year over the next three years.

Surrey Police Federation Chair Darren Pemble said it was not “right or fair” that policing was so poorly rewarded in the Spending Review.

He said: “Policing is still bearing the brunt of austerity; this cannot be right. Although policing has been given 2.3% extra in real terms for the next three years, we are moving further away from being able to adequately fund and deliver a service to the public.

“The public will inevitably feel less safe as there are less cops out on the streets protecting them.

“Is it right that the local taxpayer is yet again hit in the pocket with increases to their Council Tax for pay for this funding increase to policing?

“The Government needs to fund policing in full and not rely on the public. We need a review of policing in full: from how Government fund us, to what the public want and at what cost.”

Darren said he was also concerned about this year’s announcement on police pay, which is due in the Summer to take effect in September.

He added: “I hope that this year’s decision on police pay recognises the difficult job we do in policing and rewards us appropriately. I do fear that the signs are worrying following the Spending Review, and it will be disappointing if we are again at the bottom of the public sector pay rises.

“It is not right or fair for a service that has no industrial rights to be so poorly rewarded. Retaining and recruiting officers will be more difficult.

“How many times do we need to repeat ourselves? I very much hope to be proved wrong: officers deserve fair pay for making our communities safe.”