Staffordshire Police are looking to raise council tax by 5.12%. This comes as they face budget pressures due to disappointing government funding and rising costs.
Staffordshire: The police are in a bit of a pickle. They’re struggling financially after getting some pretty disappointing funding from the government.
Ben Adams, the Tory Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, is feeling the heat. He says the money they received doesn’t even cover the rising national insurance costs or pay increases.
Now, they want to bump up the council tax by 5.12% for 2025/26. It’s not just the police; he’s also responsible for the fire service.
Adams mentioned that in the last few years, things were looking up. They’ve added over 400 officers, bringing the total to more than 2,000. That means more boots on the ground, which is great for community safety.
But this year is a different story. The government’s funding just isn’t cutting it. It’s not enough to handle the national insurance hikes or the pay raises. Plus, money seems to be going to bigger authorities, leaving the fire service in a tough spot.
He expressed concern that council tax is becoming a sort of national tax. It’s supposed to be about local funding to improve services, not just covering national costs.
For the first time, he feels the budgets are under real pressure. He worries this could impact the level of service they can provide. It’s a tough situation for everyone involved.
