Home Office
Central Government
Noted
The Home Office acknowledges the concerns and outlines government funding provided to West Midlands Police. Decisions around resourcing are the responsibility of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable. (AI summary)
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Dear Ms Hunt,
Thank you for sending your report concerning the investigation into the death of Mr Khalif Mohammed. I am replying as the Minister of State for Policing and Crime.
I am deeply saddened to hear about the circumstances of Mr Mohammed’s death and understand the importance of your concerns regarding the response by West Midlands Police.
The Government is committed to giving police the resources they need to tackle crime. Outlined below are the actions taken by the Government to support West Midlands Police.
The Chancellor has announced a real terms increase in police spending power over the next three years. For this financial year, the 2025-26 final police funding settlement provides funding of up to £19.6 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an overall increase of up to £1.2 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement. West Midlands Police will receive up to £846.9 million in funding in 2025-26, an increase of up to £56.5 million (7.2%) when compared to the 2024-25 police settlement.
In addition to the funding announced at the settlement, we are providing £120 million of in- year funding to support forces in meeting the cost of the 2025-26 pay award. The settlement also includes funding to support the costs of the 2024-25 pay award, the increase in the employer national insurance contributions, funding for officer maintenance and an additional £200 million nationally to kickstart the first phase of recruiting 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles.
It is the responsibility of locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners, Mayors and Chief Constables to take decisions around their resourcing according to local needs. However, the Government recognises the challenges faced by police chiefs in prioritising finite resources and is committed to ensure that police forces can effectively tackle a wide range of public safety issues. We have set out our expectation to forces to reduce inefficiencies and maximise productivity driven through a new Police Efficiency and Collaboration Programme. This will free up cashable savings and officer time to reinvest in frontline activities. The Government will continue to engage with forces to ensure that
their challenges and pressures are fully understood and addressed through ongoing policy and funding discussions.
I hope this response is helpful, and on a personal note, I wish to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Mr Mohammed, and to thank you for bringing this issue to my attention.
Very best wishes,
Minister of State for Policing and Crime
Thank you for sending your report concerning the investigation into the death of Mr Khalif Mohammed. I am replying as the Minister of State for Policing and Crime.
I am deeply saddened to hear about the circumstances of Mr Mohammed’s death and understand the importance of your concerns regarding the response by West Midlands Police.
The Government is committed to giving police the resources they need to tackle crime. Outlined below are the actions taken by the Government to support West Midlands Police.
The Chancellor has announced a real terms increase in police spending power over the next three years. For this financial year, the 2025-26 final police funding settlement provides funding of up to £19.6 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an overall increase of up to £1.2 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement. West Midlands Police will receive up to £846.9 million in funding in 2025-26, an increase of up to £56.5 million (7.2%) when compared to the 2024-25 police settlement.
In addition to the funding announced at the settlement, we are providing £120 million of in- year funding to support forces in meeting the cost of the 2025-26 pay award. The settlement also includes funding to support the costs of the 2024-25 pay award, the increase in the employer national insurance contributions, funding for officer maintenance and an additional £200 million nationally to kickstart the first phase of recruiting 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles.
It is the responsibility of locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners, Mayors and Chief Constables to take decisions around their resourcing according to local needs. However, the Government recognises the challenges faced by police chiefs in prioritising finite resources and is committed to ensure that police forces can effectively tackle a wide range of public safety issues. We have set out our expectation to forces to reduce inefficiencies and maximise productivity driven through a new Police Efficiency and Collaboration Programme. This will free up cashable savings and officer time to reinvest in frontline activities. The Government will continue to engage with forces to ensure that
their challenges and pressures are fully understood and addressed through ongoing policy and funding discussions.
I hope this response is helpful, and on a personal note, I wish to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Mr Mohammed, and to thank you for bringing this issue to my attention.
Very best wishes,
Minister of State for Policing and Crime