Senior Minister’s Blunt Message to Chiefs Demanding More Money: ‘Every Part of Society is Struggling’
Police forces across Britain have been bluntly told to stop complaining about budget cuts and “do their bit” to repair the economy, as a senior Cabinet minister refused to rule out a devastating real-terms funding squeeze.
In an extraordinary intervention ahead of Wednesday’s crucial spending review, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle delivered a stark message to police chiefs who have been desperately pleading for more cash: You’re not special, get in line.
The minister’s tough-talking stance comes as the NHS and schools are set to be crowned the big winners in Rachel Reeves’ financial carve-up — leaving Britain’s crime-fighters facing potentially crippling cuts.
‘Everyone’s Writing Letters’
Speaking on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Kyle dismissed police chiefs’ desperate appeals to the Chancellor with a dismissive wave of the hand.
On the fact that the police have been writing to the Chancellor, they have,” he acknowledged, before brutally adding: “We also have letters from the universities, we have letters from doctors about the health service, we have letters from campaigners for child poverty writing to us.
His message was clear: join the queue.
“Every part of our society is struggling because of the inheritance that we had as a country and as a Government,” Kyle declared, refusing to offer any comfort to worried officers.
‘Do Your Bit’ Warning
In comments that will infuriate rank-and-file officers already stretched to breaking point, Kyle insisted police forces must “embrace change” rather than simply demanding more taxpayer cash.
We expect the police to start embracing the change they need to do, to do their bit for change as well. We are doing our bit,” the minister lectured.
“But this is a partnership. Yes, the Treasury needs to find more money for those key priorities, but the people delivering them need to do their bit as well.”
NHS Set for £30 Billion Bonanza
While police face the prospect of brutal cuts, the Department of Health is set to receive a staggering boost of up to £30 billion — a 2.8% annual increase that amounts to £17 billion in real terms by 2028.
Schools are also in line for a major windfall, with day-to-day funding expected to increase by an extra £4.5 billion over the same period. Kyle boasted the Government would be investing “the most we’ve ever spent per pupil.”
But for other departments — including policing — the outlook is grim, with economists warning of an average 1.3% real-terms cut for unprotected areas.
Police Chiefs’ Desperate Warning
The minister’s harsh words come after Britain’s most senior police officers penned a desperate letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warning of “far-reaching consequences” if budgets are slashed.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and other chiefs starkly warned they would face “stark choices about which crimes we no longer prioritise” without adequate funding.
The letter revealed that negotiations between the Treasury and Home Office were going “poorly” — a diplomatic way of saying police are losing the battle for cash.
1,500 Met Officers Face Axe
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp warned the consequences are already becoming clear, claiming the Met Police “is going to have to” cut 1,500 officers while “the same story is going to play out across the country.
I’m very concerned that police numbers may fall already this current financial year, so before this spending review, we are seeing police numbers falling,” Philp told the BBC.
Victims ‘Pushed to the Brink’
In a separate intervention, Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs and Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove warned victim support services are being “pushed to the brink” by funding cuts and rising costs.
Their letter to the Prime Minister painted a bleak picture of services already at breaking point facing even deeper cuts.
£1.1 Billion ‘Not Enough’
Kyle pointed to £1.1 billion in extra funding already earmarked for police this year — but insiders say this falls far short of what’s needed to maintain current officer numbers, let alone fulfill Labour’s manifesto pledge to recruit 13,000 new officers.
The BBC has been told Home Office ministers privately admit there isn’t enough money to deliver on the party’s election promises on policing.
Tory Fury
The Conservatives accused Labour of preparing to slash police numbers while protecting their “pet projects.
Cut net zero and welfare spending instead of police budgets,” demanded one senior Tory, warning that crime victims would pay the price for Labour’s priorities.
Shadow Technology Secretary Alan Mak twisted the knife, claiming Labour was simply “copying and pasting” Conservative plans while making a mess of the economy.
The Bottom Line
As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver her spending review on Wednesday, one thing is crystal clear: while NHS workers and teachers celebrate, Britain’s thin blue line is about to get even thinner.
The message from Government to police forces struggling with rising crime and shrinking resources? Stop moaning, tighten your belts, and “do your bit.”
For communities already plagued by antisocial behaviour and unprosecuted crimes, Kyle’s tough love approach will offer cold comfort. The question now is whether voters will accept the trade-off: better hospitals and schools, but fewer officers on the beat.
As one police source put it: “They’re asking us to do more with less — again. At some point, something’s got to give.”
Image credit: Police in Leicester – Geograph by Ashley Dace, taken 4 February 2012 in central Leicester, licensed under CC BY‑SA 2.0 .
