Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Accepted
The Department recognised that the Formula was out of date but told us that, as...
Recommendation
The Department recognised that the Formula was out of date but told us that, as there was no credible alternative available, it was confident that it was appropriate to use the existing formula to allocate the 20,000 officers.44 The National Audit Office, however, reported that because the Department has used the outdated formula to allocate officers to forces, it was likely the distribution of additional officers did not align to current or future policing needs. Police forces expressed concerns to the NAO about their ability to maintain a balanced workforce within likely future funding settlements.45 We challenged the Department on whether the use of the Formula reflected what police forces needed given the NAO’s finding that it did not give the Department a force-by-force picture of policing or the pressures being faced. The Department told us that Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners had agreed the approach and that it was as fair as it could have been. We asked if, once the new funding approach was in place, it showed that some police forces needed additional resource, whether this would be addressed. The Department told us that if this arose it would work with forces to ensure gaps were closed.46
Government Response Summary
The government agreed to revise the police funding formula, aiming for completion before the next General Election, and assured well-planned transition arrangements and a full public consultation.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4. PAC conclusion: We are concerned that the distribution of new officers may not give police forces what they need to respond to the demands they face. 4. PAC recommendation: The Department should set out, as part of its Treasury Minute response, by when it will revise the funding formula and how it will support forces in transitioning to their funding allocation under the new approach 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2022 4.2 The government has acknowledged that the current funding formula is out of date and has publicly committed to reviewing the formula before the next General Election. The technical phase of the Police Funding Formula Review, which will deliver proposals for new funding arrangements, is well underway. This includes engagement with policing sector representatives and relevant experts, who have provided advice on the development of a new formula. 4.3 The government has given assurances that any changes to funding arrangements will be well planned, with effective transition arrangements to allow sound financial management by Police and Crime Commissioners, or their equivalents, and Chief Constables. 4.4 A full public consultation will take place before any new funding arrangements are implemented. Timelines for consultation and implementation are subject to confirmation by Ministers, with consideration of wider priorities and the availability of Census 2021 data to inform a new formula.