July 7, 2015 2.54 pm This story is over 103 months old

MP presses for fair Lincolnshire Police funding deal in Westminster

Funding question: Lincolnshire MP Stephen Phillips has joined calls for a fair funding deal for Lincolnshire Police as the force awaits a decision on its application for an additional grant.

Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Stephen Phillips has joined calls for a fair funding deal for Lincolnshire Police as the force awaits a decision on its application for an additional grant.

Phillips questioned Policing Minister Mike Penning during yesterday’s Home Office Oral Questions on when a review of the police funding formula would be completed.

He said: “I pay tribute to my Right Hon. Friend for his work with Lincolnshire Police to ensure that we get a fairer funding formula. We need to ensure equitable funding for all police forces. When is the review likely to report, and when will we know the effects for Lincolnshire Police and every other force in the country?”

Policing Minister Mike Penning. Photo Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Policing Minister Mike Penning. Photo Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Policing Minister replied: “We will work to a tight timescale for consulting and getting the funding formula in place. I hope that we can announce the consultation process in the next few weeks.

“I take this opportunity to praise front-line police and the Chief Constable in Lincolnshire – something that the Shadow Police Minister always forgets to do. They do a fantastic job, and we should praise them every day.”

The minister visited the county earlier this year, appointing a Home Office task force to assess how Lincolnshire Police operates and how they can address the funding shortfall in upcoming years.

His visit followed a campaign led by Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick and Chief Constable Neil Rhodes to apply for extra funding for the force.

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes and PCC Alan Hardwick. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes and PCC Alan Hardwick. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Previously, the Chief Constable had said that future cuts to the budget could jeopardise public safety and cause the force to collapse.