Report on the Motion for Approval of Annual Police Grants in England and Wales

Key Chapter Title List

1. Introduction
2. Funding Sources for England and Wales
3. 2025/26 Police Grant Report
4. Parliamentary Related Materials
5. Police Grant Report Debates and Voting Records (2015/16-2024/25)
6. Statements
7. Parliamentary Questions
8. Media Coverage
9. Press Releases
10. Articles and Blogs
11. House of Commons Library Briefings
12. Background Information on Police Funding

Document Introduction

This report is a debate pack prepared for the House of Commons consideration of the approval motion for the '2025/26 Police Grant Report (England and Wales)' on 5 February 2025. It focuses on the central government funding approval process and allocation details for the police system in England and Wales. As a key annual basis for Parliament to approve central funding allocations for each police force, this report systematically outlines the core framework of police funding and the specific arrangements for 2025/26.

Regarding funding sources, the report clarifies that the primary income for the 43 geographic police forces in England and Wales comes from central government grants provided through the annual Police Grant Report issued by the UK Home Office. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) can raise additional revenue through council tax precepts. In special areas such as Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, mayors elected by combined authorities perform PCC duties, while the Metropolitan Police Service in London is overseen by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC).

The provisional police funding settlement for 2025/26 was published on 17 December 2024, and the final report was formally published on 30 January 2025, both accompanied by written ministerial statements. Data shows that if all PCCs increase their Band D council tax precept by £14, the total funding for police forces in England and Wales in 2025/26 will increase from £16.4 billion in 2024/25 to nearly £17.5 billion, representing a cash increase of 6.6% and a real-terms increase of 4.1%. 70% of the funding growth comes from increased government grants, while 30% stems from precept increases. The report also details the specific funding allocations for each police force and estimated per capita funding.

The report also integrates multi-dimensional supporting materials: including parliamentary debates and voting records from 2015/16 to 2024/25, related written statements, and parliamentary question responses, covering key issues such as funding allocation comparisons, adequacy of funding for policing in the capital, and the impact of minimum wage increases; it gathers media press releases, analysis articles, and blogs from December 2024 to January 2025, reflecting various stakeholders' reactions to police funding policies; it also includes several House of Commons Library briefings on police strength, police governance, funding sources, and allocation mechanisms, providing in-depth reference for understanding the historical context and reform needs of the police funding system.

The data analysis in this report is based on the 2021 Census data and Home Office written statements. It provides policymakers, police system practitioners, and researchers with comprehensive and accurate core information on police funding allocations in England and Wales, serving as an important reference document for understanding the region's policing fiscal policy and practice.