§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have achieved the requirement of year-on-year efficiency savings of 2 per cent.; what monitoring is undertaken of how forces are achieving the efficiency savings and what guidance is issued by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [128536]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThere are two elements to the achievement of the 2 per cent. efficiency targets set for the police each year between 1999–2002. The first is to plan and deliver savings, either cashable, non-cashable or both; the second and most important element is to deliver 229W levels of performance to a required standard. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) reported in May 2000 that all 43 forces were on track to deliver the required efficiency gains subject to performance levels being assessed as satisfactory. I expect HMIC to report on police performance levels later this month.
The efficiency process is subject to rigorous inspection by HMIC with support from the Audit Commission and external auditors. This ensures that only permissible savings are counted. The police authority and force must also ensure that a link between resources and performance outcomes is established.
The Home Office issued guidance on efficiency planning to police forces and authorities in November 1998, when the process was launched, and again in December 2000 to support planning for the second year of efficiency gains. HMIC also issued detailed guidance in the course of its inspection process and has advised forces and authorities throughout the process.