BLUNKETT MUST END MET'S BUDGET UNCERTAINTY

16.1.02

Davey calls for early decision on London's police security budget for next year

Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate today, Edward Davey, Lib Dem Spokesman for London, will urge Home Office Ministers for an early decision on extra cash for the Metropolitan Police.

Following the terrorist outrages of September 11th, extra demands on London's police have created significant budget problems. Immediate cash for this year was provided, but no money has yet been announced for next year. Yet the Greater London Authority is only weeks away from having to set its budget for the Metropolitan Police and the council tax precept. The Metropolitan Police Authority has submitted a bid for £97 million, but the Home Office has yet to answer. Edward Davey will say:

"The new terrorist threat facing London won't disappear at the end of March.

"The Government is asking London's police to provide the extra security, but has yet to show it will fund that work.

"It is a nonsense to expect the GLA to decide a budget and the tax they want from Londoners, when Ministers haven't decided their contribution.

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman, added:

"The way the Met receives its money needs early review. We're still suffering from being under direct control from the Home Office until 2 years ago. Then London never had a real chance to put an independent policing case like all other parts of Britain.

"London's police budget has many special pressures on it, such as the cost of training police officers for many other forces. The Met should receive a contribution from all those other police forces who take on Met trained officers who leave London within ten years of passing out of Hendon."