Policing Minister announces £20 million funding for PCCs
Innovation Fund will pay for ideas to improve policing, says Damian Green
Policing Minister Damian Green
Policing Minister Damian Green today announced that £20 million will be made available to Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to pay for new ideas.
The government previously said a Police Innovation Fund worth up to £50 million a year would be established from 2014-15.
But £20 million will shortly be made available as a “precursor” fund, from which PCCs can bid for money to pay for proposals with the potential to improve policing and make it more efficient.
They could include ideas for forces to collaborate or invest in modern digital technology.
Anniversary
The announcement was made today at an event in London where PCCs gathered to mark the anniversary of their first year in office.
Policing Minister Damian Green said:
I know that many of you have been asking for more details on the Police Innovation Fund.
This fund will incentivise collaboration, support improved digital working and enable PCCs to invest in a range of other innovative delivery approaches that have the potential to improve policing and deliver further efficiency.
But innovation shouldn’t have to wait and we know PCCs are keen to access this funding now in order to press ahead with transformation in their forces.
So today I am pleased to announce that, ahead of the first full year of the fund, we will be making £20 million available to PCCs as a precursor Innovation Fund in this financial year.
We will be writing out with further details on the bidding process and criteria shortly, and I don’t think I will need to encourage you to consider putting forward bids.
Today’s event was organised by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.