PENSION changes could cost police forces in England and Wales a huge \u00a3417m by 2020\/21 the National Police Chiefs Council has warned.<\/p>\n
The amount, the equivalent of funding 10,000 officers, is needed to pay for an increase in the minimum contribution employers must now pay into staff members\u2019 pension pots.<\/p>\n
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That figure rose to 2% of qualifying earnings in April this year and will rise to 3% by April 2019.<\/p>\n
NPCC Chair CC Sara Thornton said at the recent Chief Constables Council meeting in Cardiff that she had \u2018grave concerns\u2019 about the impact on police funding and how it might affect officers on the beat.<\/p>\n
\u201cA substantial part of the agenda was dominated by financial issues,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cForces are currently pulling together their medium-term forecasts and the Treasury announcement a few weeks ago about changes to employee pension contributions means that forces in England and Wales may need to find an extra \u00a3417 million by 2020\/21.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is equivalent to nearly 10,000 officers and grave concern was expressed about further reducing the sustainability of local police forces. This matter has been raised with the Government and discussions are being held,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
The financial strain forces are facing is impacting on their effectiveness she added although evidence is being gathered to support the case for getting extra police resources next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was general concern about the strain that forces are currently under and the impact on core policing such as answering emergency calls, investigating crime and neighbourhood policing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working with police and crime commissioners on developing the evidence case for increased police resources in the next spending review in 2019 and there is a team working with Home Office officials to gather the evidence on demand and resilience, efficiency and productivity, new capabilities and funding options.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone is working together to make the most compelling case possible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Other topics on the meeting agenda included a review of the visit of President Trump over the summer, the new \u00a34k bonus scheme being made available to ease recruitment pressures and technology updates.<\/p>\n
Improving the use and availability of digital technology for officers and police staff is an important part of the evidence for increased resources in 2019, CC Thornton added.<\/p>\n