Proposed police funding 'terrible' for force - PCC

Proposed government funding for the police is "terrible" and could have a long-term impact on the way services are delivered, a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.

The Home Office announced last week that it plans to pay a grant of £357.3m to Thames Valley Police (TVP) in 2026/27, an increase of £26.1m on 2025/26.

But the Thames Valley's PCC Matthew Barber said it is about £8.8m less than the force had been planning to receive, would leave a "huge gap" and could mean "delaying or cancelling future spending plans".

The Home Office was approached to comment.

Council tax payers look set to be asked to stump up £17.4m more to fund the service than last year and contribute to a £296.3m pot.

But Mr Barber said the process that has led to a total planned budget of £653.6m had left him "appalled".

"I have already met with the Chief Constable [Jason Hogg] and will be working over the Christmas period to consider how we can still set the budget in the New Year which will continue to prioritise the protection of front-line services," he said.

"It will be challenging to balance the budget going forward. It is likely to mean delaying or cancelling future spending plans as well as drawing down our reserves sooner than anticipated rather than finding additional productivity savings above what the force has already planned."

Mr Barber said "sound financial planning" means TVP is in a "stronger position than many police forces" and that he is confident it will be able to amend plans to "maintain frontline policing".

A final settlement with more detail will be published in early 2026.

In the House of Commons on Thursday, policing and crime minister Sarah Jones said the government will increase total police funding by nearly £800m next year.

She said: "We are providing police forces with a significant increase in funding that will allow them to step up their efforts in tackling the crimes that are blighting our communities, including knife crime and antisocial behaviour.

"But we know that funding alone will not deliver our ambitions. Police leaders have been crying out for reform, and our upcoming white paper will deliver this to free up officer time and get bobbies back on our streets."