Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions his Department has had with police forces in England and Wales on the force management statements published by those forces.

The Home Office works closely with police forces to understand the demands facing them. In 2017, I spoke to every police force in England & Wales about the changing demands on them. The Government responded with a funding settlement that is increasing total investment in the police system by over £460m in 2018/19, including increases in Council Tax precept income.

We are doing substantial work with the police to better understand future police demand, what capabilities the police need to respond, and how efficiency and productivity can help improve services to the public. This programme of work includes analysis by policing of the first round of force management statements. We are also working closely with policing colleagues and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services on the ongoing development of these statements.