HC Deb 12 May 2003 vol 405 c70W
Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria he takes into consideration when determining whether special circumstances under the Police Reform Act 2002 enable special priority payments to be paid to more than 30 per cent. of any force. [112435]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth

The Special Priority Payment (SPP) Scheme was not introduced under the Police Reform Act 2002 but by agreement with all the main police organisations in the Police Negotiating Board (PNB). The Scheme was one of a number of ground-breaking reforms to police pay and conditions of service included in the PNB Agreement of 9 May 2002.

Under the Agreement, PNB expected that no more than 30 per cent. of force strength should qualify for a SPP save in exceptional circumstances. A number of forces in the south east made out a case to have schemes covering up to 40 per cent. of force strength due to the particularly acute difficulties they were experiencing in retaining officers. Not all forces in the south east are experiencing such difficulties.

Mr. Tom Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from what sources of revenue the annual policing budget is drawn. [111162]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth

Policing revenue budgets are funded from the following sources:

  1. (a) Home Office Police Grant.
  2. (b) Revenue Support Grant and redistributed National Non Domestic Rates.
  3. (c) Specific grants for particular initiatives.
  4. (d) The element of local council tax raised through the police authority precept.
  5. (e) Police authorities reserves and locally generated income.