§ Mr. PatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to increase funding for West Mercia police to the average level for English shire forces. [33732]
§ Mr. DenhamI announced the police funding settlement for 2002–03 on 30 January. Through the settlement West Mercia will receive grant of £101.3 million, an increase of 2.3 per cent. over this year. The average increase for English shire authorities is 2.5 per cent.
909WIn addition, the West Mercia Police Authority will receive £3.5 million through the Crime Fighting Fund, £2.3 million through the rural policing fund and £2.8 million capital allocation.
Grant for police authorities is mainly determined by the police funding formula. The formula aims to allocate resources fairly between authorities, taking account of the circumstances of each. The formula has many strengths and is generally acceptable to much of the policing community. It does however have well recognised limitations and we have decided to undertake a wide ranging review of the formula to ensure that it satisfactorily allocates funding in future. I intend that, where possible, changes to the formula should be introduced in time for the 2003–04 police funding settlement.