Basingstoke MP Maria Miller has welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement in his Autumn Statement that there will be no cuts at all to the Police budget, with real terms protection for police funding.
Maria said: “Our police play a vital role in keeping us safe, both in our local communities and in protecting our national security. We have great neighbourhood policing here in Basingstoke and it is good news that the funding is being made available to the Hampshire Police to continue to support this.”
“At a time when the threat to our national security is heightened as it is now, I also welcome the significant new funding announced for our security services and the commitment to spend 2% of our national income on defence.”
“These measures contribute to protecting our national security, by defending our country’s interests abroad and keeping our citizens safe at home.”
The Chancellor also announced investment in state-of-the-art mobile communications for our emergency services, which will allow police officers to take mobile fingerprints and electronic witness statements, saving officers’ time and £1 million daily when fully operational.
There will also be extra funding for police forces which come forward with proposals to improve efficiency, such as joint working with other forces.