MP Bob Seely has received a commitment from the Home Secretary yesterday that funding for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary will be increased.
Bob told the House of Commons he welcomed the biggest rise in police funding since 2010 but added, “as a force, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has been historically underfunded relative to its size. When he considers future funding formulae, will he (Sajid Javid) therefore take into account the historical underfunding of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and seek to rectify it?
In reply, the Home Secretary said: “I am happy to give my hon. Friend that commitment. He makes an important point and I am glad he has raised it.
“We have been clear in the Home Office that when the upcoming spending review comes around it is important that we also look at the national funding formula for policing.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane was given the greenlight last week to raise extra money through the council tax to help pay for more police in Hampshire and on the Island. Households will pay an extra £24 a year for a Band D property as part of the police precept.
The commissioner said the cash will protect recruiting and training and see an additional 200 new police officers and around 60 new investigators recruited
