Less policing, more tax: government’s funding settlement fails communities

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has said the government’s announcement of the 2026–27 police funding settlement, delivered just days before Christmas, is a bitter blow to policing and communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The settlement is significantly lower than expected, fails to reward forces that delivered on the Police Uplift Programme, and provides no clarity on how national policing priorities will be funded.

Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “The government’s funding settlement for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is a shock. I am extremely disappointed that, with no notice, we have received a settlement from the Home Office that is less than expected. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is being penalised for stepping up to deliver the Police Uplift Programme when other forces fell short. I have ensured the force has been able to recruit an extra 815 police officers over the last four years, paid for by the Home Office and local taxpayers. The ongoing investment to maintain these numbers has not been confirmed like it has in previous years which means once again, the government is expecting local taxpayers to foot the bill; less policing, more tax. That is the reality of this week’s announcement.

“In September the Home Secretary announced the 2025 Police pay rise of 4.2%. It was agreed that the Home Office would fund any pay rise over 2.8%. The police pay rise in Hampshire is £16m. The policing grant settlement therefore represents just a 2.59% increase. This means that the government are not even funding the police pay rise set by the Home Secretary meaning local tax payers will need to fund the remainder. This is coupled with a backdrop of CPI inflation running at over 3%. Therefore, a grant increase of 2.59% represents a cut to government funding of policing in real terms.

“The most concerning aspect of today’s announcement is the lack of warning or impact assessment. Across the country, thousands of police officer posts may now be at risk. Britain will inevitably have fewer police on the streets, leading to more crime and greater fear of crime in our communities. The government’s job is to deliver on the public’s priorities. Today feels like a bitter blow to communities up and down the country.”

“I want to reassure the public that I will do everything possible to ensure operational policing and officer numbers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are protected. Communities have invested heavily in policing, and I will fight to protect that investment.”

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) has echoed these concerns, warning that the settlement lacks detail on how the government’s own priorities, such as halving knife crime and tackling violence against women and girls, will be funded. There is also no provision for the capital investment needed to modernise and strengthen policing at a time when demand continues to rise.

Key facts for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary:

• 2025-26 Govt grant £292.9m
• 2026-27 Govt grant £300.5m
• Increase £7.6m (2.59%)