PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
MERSEYSIDE POLICE FUNDING (18 October 2015)

That this House expresses strong concern that Merseyside Police is being forced to consider cutting jobs, disbanding its mounted section and its basic command unit structure, which has served Merseyside well for over 40 years; notes that Merseyside Police estimates that it will face grant cuts of four per cent for each of the next three years, which will result in the Force having to cut a further 1,300 police officer and staff posts by 2018-19; is alarmed that following the comprehensive spending review announcement scheduled for 25 November 2015, grant reductions could increase to over five per cent; further notes that these proposed cuts would come on top of the 1,600 posts cut since 2010; is deeply concerned that the Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside, Jane Kennedy, has rightly felt it necessary to point out that these cuts will inevitably lead to a reduction in Merseyside Police's ability to investigate sex offences, hate crimes and serious and organised crime; and calls on the Government, in the interests of public safety, not to make any further cuts to Merseyside Police's grant.

Sponsored by:
Sir George Howarth (Labour)