Mark Harper MP - for the Forest of Dean

Working for Gloucestershire West of the Severn

MP slams poor Police grant increase

27 November 2009

Mark Harper, MP for the Forest of Dean, has slammed the new police funding settlement which only gives Gloucestershire a 2.5% increase.

This is the minimum increase that can be given for the general police grant. One police authority is being given a 3.8% increase, and Gloucestershire is getting below the average national increase.

Commenting, Mark Harper said:

“Once again this Government is failing to give Gloucestershire Police the resources necessary to give my constituents the service they deserve. There will now be pressure either to see a larger rise in Council Tax or cut local policing – neither of which is an attractive option.”