• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

If Step Change is as successful as we all hope it is, then obviously it will create that sort of public demand and the demand to have it spread. Whilst I might share the aspirations of the Chair that this will persuade whoever is in Government to provide additional resources, if they do not " and I have to say there is no indication that they will at this stage " how can we go ahead to meet those public expectations that we helped to create?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

We are not trying to put barriers in the way of Step Change. Like everybody else we think Step Change is an excellent initiative. The barrier is affordability, particularly given the savage cuts the Government has hit all of London's public services with this year. On the issue of affordability, I would like ask two things. Have you had assurance, or even a nod and a wink from Government Ministers, that after next year's pilot which will cost £26.2 million, yes the money would be forthcoming from Government sources? It certainly cannot come from Londoners. As we look forward to...

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

But now the quite considerable sum of £54 million disappears for this year. Furthermore, in the grant settlement this year there is no funding for additional police officers and funding for PCSOs has been cut down to 60% " more money for Londoners to find. I think what you are proposing is a lot of hot air and you are not seeing it through. Is your Government saying that in the year after next they will find some £350 million to support Step Change, or are they saying Londoners will have to do it? And we already pay twice as...

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Well it is not in one way, because obviously they are sort of doing the same things for themselves already. Can you give me some assurance that they will still get their full allocation of Step Change officers regardless of the fact that they may have already taken on some extra officers at their own expense through their own arrangements?

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

You know that I represent Kensington and Chelsea, which is already in an agreement with the Met. I think they have already taken on their first 45 PCSOs.

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

I wonder what measures have been taken or are being taken to ensure that local boroughs and the local borough police are fully aware of the Step Change programme so it can be taken into account when they are planning their own community safety strategy?

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 10 December 2003

Where is the money coming from?