Police Forces Face £1.3 Billion Funding Shortfall, Cuts Expected

UK police chiefs warn of inevitable reductions in services and officer numbers due to outdated funding formula and reliance on council tax increases.

The UK police funding gap is projected to reach £1.3 billion over the next two years, prompting warnings of significant cuts to services and staffing.
A provisional 3.5% real-terms funding increase for police forces includes £986.9 million in additional funding, a third of which depends on council tax increases of up to £14 per household.
Critics, including His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, highlight the outdated funding formula, which disproportionately disadvantages inner-city forces with higher crime rates and lower council tax revenues.
The government announced £19.5 billion in total policing funds for 2025-26, including allocations for officer pay rises, national insurance contributions, and recruitment of 13,000 neighborhood policing roles.
Police leaders, including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, warn that the funding shortfall could result in thousands of job losses, undermining public safety and long-term planning.