Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
Police Scotland warns flat funding could cut officer numbers below 15,600
The Scottish Police Authority says a flat budget could force major cuts at Police Scotland.
The force is asking the Scottish government for an extra £110 million for 2027-28 to maintain staffing and meet rising costs.
Without more money, the authority says an £80 million shortfall could mean losing 958 officers and 302 other staff in one year.
A recruitment freeze could then bring officer numbers below 15,600, the lowest since 2003-04.
Police Scotland says demand is growing and becoming more complex, while trust and confidence in policing are falling.
If funding is not enough, the force says it would focus on emergencies and the highest-risk cases, while prevention would be limited and response times could rise.
The Scottish government says it has provided record policing funds this year and is discussing next year's budget with the force.
The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) warned that flat cash funding could force Police Scotland to stop recruitment and cut officer numbers below 15,600.
The SPA said a flat settlement would leave an £80 million funding gap and require cuts to 958 officers and 302 staff in 2027-28.
It said a further 400 officers could have to go in 2028-29, taking numbers to their lowest level since 2003-04.
Police Scotland is seeking an additional £110.6 million for day-to-day spending in 2027-28 to meet rising costs and demands.
The Scottish Government said it had provided record funding for policing this year and was discussing next year’s budget with the force.
- Who
- The Scottish Police Authority warned about the funding impact on Police Scotland.
- What
- A flat cash settlement could require cuts to 958 officers and 302 staff, followed by a further 400 officer cuts.
- When
- The potential cuts are for 2027-28, with further officer cuts in 2028-29.
- Where
- Scotland.
- Why
- The SPA says rising costs and policing demands mean a flat budget would leave an £80 million funding gap.
Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland
Scottish Government
Funding
Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland
The SPA says a flat cash settlement would create an £80 million gap and force workforce cuts.
Scottish Government
The government said it had delivered record levels of policing funding this year and was discussing next year’s budget with the force.
If the budget remains flat, the SPA says Police Scotland would need to shed 958 officers and 302 staff.
The SPA says a further 400 officers could have to go to balance the books.
- Potential officer numbers
- Below 15,600
- Funding gap
- £80 million
- Workforce cuts in 2027-28
- 958 officers and 302 staff
- Further cuts in 2028-29
- About 400 officers
- Police Scotland day-to-day budget request
- £1,688.7 million for 2027-28, an increase of £110.6 million
3 sources
What people are saying
Given the extreme nature of the actions required to deliver these savings, a flat cash funding scenario is not achievable in year and would devastate the service.
In short, if we cannot secure sufficient investment, Police Scotland would prioritise emergency response and will target threat, harm and risk at the highest levels.
Prevention and early interventions will be limited, non-emergency contact will take longer and response times overall will increase.
This is a damning warning. The body responsible for overseeing Police Scotland is spelling out the damage a flat budget would inflict.