More Evidence of Wales' Raw Deal on Police

2.32.04pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 16th Feb 2007

Barbara Wilding, the Chief Constable of South Wales Police today announced a £3.5 million budget shortfall. Under Home Office spending plans, Wales receives 5.2% of police funding for England and Wales. Under the Barnett Formula, Wales receives 5.89% of spending in English departments - the difference would add up to an extra £50m next year for police.

Jenny Randerson Welsh Lib Dem AM for Cardiff Central said "This provides yet more evidence that Wales is getting a raw deal on police. The extra £50 million would mean that there was no budget shortfall and that there was money for extra officers.

"Health and education spending in Wales is based on the Barnett formula. Yet for Police it is different.

"Instead of concentrating on gimmicks for crime and order Labour should fairly fund the Police service, enabling it put more officers on the streets preventing and investigating crime."

Notes

Welsh Liberal Democrats are campaigning on crime throughout the month of February.

The policy document: We Can Cut Crime - A Safer Wales is available to download in the policy section of the party website at www.welshlibdems.org.uk

Ends/diwedd

Contact/cyswllt: Andrew Sherwood - 029 2089 8324