It is one thing to know that police organisations need to be able to tackle a new set of challenges, but in the real world there is always a limit to funding. How do police leaders make the case to government for appropriate and sustainable funding, and how can they prioritise where to apply the funds received in a way that best aligns to their strategy?
In the United Kingdom, the Home Office (interior ministry) allocates over £8 billion funding across 43 police organisations in England and Wales, according to a formula that aims to be fair, transparent and efficient. However the existing formula is widely regarded as unfit for purpose and the overall level of police funding has fallen by about 20% in real terms since 2010.
As the government has been exploring alternative formulas, PwC has helped police organisations understand the implications of potential new models. In the meantime, PwC has also supported the police in making budget submissions during spending reviews. Our economics and policy specialists have explored how new and increasingly complex crime types are affecting demand for police services which, when coupled with new ways of working and staffing, could make the case for very different approaches to allocating police budgets nationally and locally.