London’s unique policing challenges need to be considered alongside Government cuts and changes to the police funding formula.
The London Assembly today unanimously agreed a motion calling on the Mayor and Met Commissioner to seek a fair deal from the Government and ensure the safety of London’s residents and visitors.
Unmesh Desai AM, who proposed the motion said:
“Unless the Government commits to adequately funding London’s police services, our ability to ensure public safety in the long-term is called into question.
We’re a capital city, our police service provides a national service, and that needs to be accurately reflected in the money we get from Government. That’s simply not happening right now.
The Mayor is doing what he can to protect London’s police services. We now need government to step up funding to ensure existing services are supported and we meet the challenges of the future. With the Met already having been subjected to £600m in government cuts, and a further £400m in the pipeline, it’s vital London doesn’t lose out in the police funding formula review.”
Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who seconded the motion said:
“The Met faces immense pressures to ensure Londoners and the growing numbers of visitors to the city are kept safe.
Sadly the threat of terrorism is never far away. The Met budget also faces challenges from an incredibly expensive State Visit this year by the President of the United States following a decision made by the Prime Minister not Londoners.
For all these reasons and many others it is vital that the Met faces a fair deal from the Government.”
The full text of the Motion is:
“This Assembly recognises the unique set of challenges faced by the Metropolitan Police Service when maintaining safety in a city of international importance.
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service has expressed concern that a shortfall in the National, International and Capital City grant, along with changes to the police funding formula, could undermine public safety in the capital.
This Assembly shares these concerns. It calls on the Mayor and Commissioner to continue to seek a fair deal from the Government so that London receives the funding it needs to keep its residents and visitors safe.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously
- Unmesh Desai AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4428. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.