Spending Review Fails Frontline Policing
Responding to the Chancellor’s Spending Review today, Sarah Gibson MP, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Chippenham, condemned the Government for once again neglecting frontline policing—leaving communities in Wiltshire and across the country under-resourced and vulnerable.
“Years of Conservative neglect have left our police overstretched, underfunded and unable to properly tackle neighbourhood crime,” said Sarah Gibson MP. “Today’s statement fails to deliver the investment needed to get officers back on the beat.”
In a cross-party letter sent to the Government back in April, Sarah joined other Wiltshire MPs calling for fairer funding for local police.
“The Chancellor’s announcement falls woefully short in addressing the crisis faced in police funding. Unless backed by real cash, this is just another example of Ministers passing the buck to local police chiefs—who may be forced to raise council tax to plug the gap.”
She criticised the ongoing failure to address rural policing, highlighting the Liberal Democrats’ continued push for a “Countryside Copper Guarantee.”
“Time and again, rural areas like ours are left behind. Despite our repeated calls, the Chancellor continues to ignore the needs of countryside communities in Wiltshire.”
Sarah Gibson MP pledged to hold the Government to account for how every penny is allocated.
“This was a crucial opportunity to rebuild trust and capacity in our local services. Instead, it is another bitter disappointment. Without a serious commitment to policing, communities will be left to pay the price, while the Government offers little more than empty promises.”
“The Conservatives wrecked our economy—and Labour is failing to deliver the change people are crying out for.”
Sarah reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for fairer funding:
“I will continue to campaign alongside my Liberal Democrat colleagues to secure proper investment in Wiltshire’s police services. People deserve to feel safe in their own communities—and that means real officers on the ground, not vague promises from Whitehall.”