Home Office snubs Cardiff capital city cop cash boost call
THE Home Office has rejected calls that South Wales Police should receive extra funding because of the additional costs incurred from Cardiff being a capital city.
South Wales Central MS Rhys ab Owen had called for extra funding, stating in a letter to Home Secretary Suella Braverman: “London, Edinburgh, and Belfast all receive extra funding through a capital city grant meaning Wales is the only UK nation whose capital does not.
“By not having extra funding from the capital city grant, South Wales Police are involuntarily required to draw upon the resources of other areas of South Wales in order to meet the policing requirements for Cardiff when the city hosts major events.”
But in a letter to Mr ab Owen, Home Office Policing Minister Chris Philp stated: “The government has committed substantial funding to invest in policing and reduce crime in recent years.
“Earlier this year, the government published a total policing settlement of up to £16.9bn in 2022-23, an increase of up to £1.1bn compared to 2021-22.
“South Wales’ funding will be up to £352.5m in 2022-23, an increase of up to £19m when compared to 2021/22.
“The Home Office also announced an additional £350m over three years in total for forces in England and Wales to manage the financial impact of the 2022-23 pay award for officers and staff. This is on top of the future year police grant and precept increases confirmed at Spending Review 2021.
“Spending Review 2021 provided a three-year envelope for police funding by confirming total increases to government grant and precept limits until 2024-25.
“As well as offering forces the ability to plan for the mediumterm, the Spending Review provided the means to recruit and maintain the full 20,000 officer uplift by March 2023, successfully delivering on this government’s commitment to complete the Police Uplift
Programme.”
Noting Mr ab Owen’s concerns about the capital city funding in South Wales, Mr Philp added: “We have previously carefully considered requests for additional funding from South Wales Police. However,
to date there has not been sufficient evidence of significant additional policing demand to justify a further payment in respect of policing Cardiff.
“My officials have already encouraged South Wales Police force to engage with the Home Office if it is felt that the necessary evidence would meet the criteria.
“In addition to this, we are reviewing the funding formula to ensure that it transparently distributes the circa £8.6bn of annual core grant funding to the 43 police forces in England and Wales.
“In developing the new formula, we are considering the demands facing each force and the impact of local factors – such as estates costs – on the resource required to meet demand.
“Any changes to funding arrangements will be well planned, with effective transition arrangements to enable sound financial management by Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables.