Police funding short-fall as families face council tax bombshell to pick up the tab

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Government has said that the ‘police core spending power’ increases assumes rises in the PCC council tax precept in order to fund it. It means people will be left to pick up the tab in order to fund increases in police spending with the Government refusing to cover the costs.

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart MP said:

“The Government is relying on a hidden council tax bombshell to fund their half-hearted rise in police funding as they pass the buck to local families.

“After frontline policing was neglected for years under the Conservatives, local communities deserve better than this sleight of hand.

“The Government must put more bobbies on the beat, with the proper funding to make it happen. Liberal Democrats will keep pushing for the proper neighbourhood policing our communities deserve."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Source: Table 5.8: Home Office, Spending Review 2025 which states that “Police core spending power refers to the projected total police settlement funding including counter terrorism funding. This includes projected spending from additional income, including estimated funding from the police council tax precept. Full details of annual police funding will be set out in the Police Funding Settlement.”

The average Band D property faces an extra £395 in Council Tax in 2028-29 compared to this year, the small print of today's Spending Review reveals.

The Spending Review assumes a maximum 3% council tax increase each year, plus a 2% social care precept and £14 police precept rise each year.