Mayor’s Office Budget Review Highlights Significant Funding Adjustments for Metropolitan Police
The draft budget for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for the year 2026-27 is under scrutiny as the London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee prepares to review it. Initially, the Metropolitan Police had projected a need for £159 million in unidentified savings; however, through strategic financial planning, this number has been dramatically cut to £20 million.
Budget Adjustments and Financial Planning
The significant reduction in the anticipated savings was achieved through a mix of expected additional funding stemming from the Spending Review scheduled for 2025, effective management of the MPS’s balance sheet, and adaptation to newfound pressures on staffing costs. These adjustments have led to a more realistic financial outlook for the upcoming fiscal year.
Assembly Meeting Details
On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the London Assembly’s Budget and Performance Committee will convene to examine the proposed budget put forth by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). This meeting will also provide an opportunity for assembly members to discuss the implications of the budget on essential services within the Metropolitan Police, especially in light of ongoing service transformations aimed at addressing the budget deficit.
Among the attendees set to participate in the meeting are:
- Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
- Amana Humayun, Chief Finance Officer and Director of Corporate Services at MOPAC
- Lib Peck, Director of the Violence Reduction Unit
- Dan Worsley, Chief Finance Officer of the MPS
- Clare Davies, Chief People and Resources Officer of the MPS
The assembly meeting will take place at City Hall, located at Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE, starting at 10 am. Members of the media and the general public are encouraged to attend and can also view the proceedings live via webcast or on YouTube.
Importance of the Budget Review
The evaluation of the MPS budget is crucial, especially as law enforcement faces pressing challenges and the public continuously demands accountability and transparency. The adjustments in funding will directly influence the future direction of policing in London, as well as the resources available for crime prevention initiatives and community safety measures.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/london-assembly-press-releases/how-has-met-closed-ps150m-funding-gap-one-year
