‘GAMBLING WITH YOUR SAFETY’
Burnham hits out after government cuts our police funding for the EIGHTH year in a row:
GREATER Manchester’s mayor has accused the government of ‘gambling with public safety’ by cutting front-line police funding for the eighth year in a row.
Ministers yesterday announced the region’s force would only get a funding increase next April if it raised council tax. It is understood that the maximum £10.4m that could bring in would only cover a planned 1pc pay increase for officers.
As a result real terms - when inflation is factored in - the force would then be facing another fall in funding. Mayor Andy Burnham has slammed that decision, although the government says police forces can still increase financial efficiency.
Ministers also pointed to £50m in specialist counter-terror funding awarded nationwide in recognition of the growing threats faced by communities, including as a result of the Manchester Arena attack.
However Mr Burnham - who will ultimately be charged with drawing up any planned hike in the policing precept after taking on the powers of police commissioner in May - said that boost is being undermined by further cuts to frontline policing.
“This is the eighth year in a row that the government has inflicted real terms cuts on Greater Manchester Police,” he said.
“People are noticing the loss of visible policing in their communities and this dangerous decision will make that even worse.
“With the terror threat at its current level the government are gambling with public safety.
“After all they have been through, our police officers are entitled to expect better from their government but once again they have been let down.
“While government argues that they have allowed more local flexibility to raise money, what they are actually doing is abdicating responsibility for public safety and making hard-pressed council tax payers pick up the bill.
“Areas like Greater Manchester, with some of the most deprived communities, are less able to raise money from council tax compared to more affluent areas of the country, and is therefore less able to mitigate damage caused by these cuts.”
Policing minister Nick Hurd insisted today’s national policing settlement would increase funding nationally by £270m.
“This means Greater Manchester Police funding will increase by around £10.4 million next year if the Mayor of Greater Manchester uses his council precept flexibility,” he said.
“Police and crime commissioners have called for greater flexibility to meet local policing needs. This is why the government is protecting the grant it pays in cash terms and enabling PCCs to increase precept by up to £1 per month per typical household.
“The Government is clear police forces can improve productivity and increase efficiency and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Fire Service has said forces can be more ambitious with their plans to reform.”