Police cuts fear amid budget woes

Strathclyde Police is Scotland's largest force

Scotland's largest police force may have to cut staff numbers to deal with a multi-million pound budget deficit, a senior official has admitted.

Strathclyde Police Authority (SPA), the body responsible for the force's budget, is facing an "absolutely dire" funding gap of up to £34.7m in 2010/11.

At best the gap will stand at £12.4m next year, according to a report by Chief Constable Stephen House.

However, Mr House warned the budget shortfall could reach £66m by 2013/14.

SPA members discussed the findings of a review into the force's finances at a meeting in Glasgow`s City Chambers on Thursday.

In the likelihood there is a deficit it's correct there will be an impact on personnel and police staff Paul Rooney SPA

Paul Rooney, convener of the SPA, said the police were in a different position to other public sector bodies because a large proportion of their budget is spent on personnel.

He said: "Every year we get an indicator for the year ahead. The difference is that this year it's absolutely dire.

"There's nothing unique in terms of the police, it's happening across the sector.

"The distinction for the police authority is the large proportion of personnel making up the budget - 92%. That's nowhere near the figure for local government.

"That means that if we have to make cuts it's quite likely that personnel will have to be looked at."

Speaking after the meeting, he added: "In the likelihood there is a deficit it's correct there will be an impact on personnel and police staff."

The report states: "Dependent on the savings options that will require to be considered, it is inevitable that there will be some impact on personnel resources."

Mr Rooney said the SPA must plan for the worst case scenario and look at how to make efficiency savings.

'Completely wrong'

A budget working group has been set up to assess the situation.

Chief Constable Stephen House said of the report: "It allows us to invite early engagement in the budget plan and to see the challenges we face."

The Strathclyde force currently employs 8,051 officers.

The Scottish Government said police numbers would continue to rise as it invested £23bn between 2008 and 2010 to ensure local authorities have the resources they need to deliver services.

However, Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker said the blame for the cash shortfall lay with Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

Mr Baker said: "The progress made in police recruitment in Strathclyde was funded by local authorities and the SNP has obviously got it's figures completely wrong. This is fiscal management at its worst."

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