Government apologises for Police funding errors and delays implementation pending review

Referring to the problems with the new Police Funding formula, I wrote here last week that

"It takes courage to admit that something has gone wrong, take it back and review it, but I believe Theresa May is a brave and intelligent person and I hope and believe she will take the time to review what has been proposed, get the facts right, and try to come up with a better and fairer system."

The government has done at least some of that tonight.

Police Minister Mike Penning has apologised to the House of Commons for errors in a new formula which assesses population size and other data to calculate funding.

The issue has caused "a great deal of concern to police forces", he admitted.

"We recognise this has caused a great deal of concern to police forces around the country.

"I and the government regret this mistake and I apologise to the House."

He also said that the proposed changes, initially planned for 2016/17 will be delayed for at least one financial year. The current formula will be used to establish police force funding for the 2016/17 financial year.

Mr Penning also apologised and to all 43 police forces in England and Wales. He said the government would now seek the views of PCCs and the National Police Chiefs Council before deciding how to proceed.

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