Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the average daily policing costs for the demonstrators on and around College Green and Old Palace Yard.

We are clear that the public have the right to peaceful protest, and that police forces should make reasonable contingencies within their budgets to cover the cost of these and other unexpected events in their area. Police and Crime Commissioners have the option to apply for funding through the Police Special Grant to assist with the cost of any significant events which might otherwise threaten the financial stability of the police force.

However, we also acknowledge that there are additional demands in policing the national capital and centre of Government and provide the Metropolitan Police with additional funding called the National and International Capital City (NICC) Grant to help cover those costs. For 2019/20, the NICC Grant will increase to £185m.

We are providing a significant police funding settlement in 2019/20 that provides the biggest increase in police funding since 2010, with more money for local police forces, counter terrorism and tackling serious and organised crime. If the Mayor of London raises council tax precept by the maximum permitted then funding to the Metropolitan Police Service in 2019/20 will increase by £172m.