The Chair of the Scottish Police Authority, Martyn Evans, has responded to the Scottish Government’s 2024-25 budget statement today, Tuesday 19 December 2023:

“The Scottish Police Authority welcomes today’s draft budget statement from the Scottish Government. The budget proposes a total uplift of £87.6m in 2024-25 for policing. This represents a significant improvement on the flat cash settlement indicated and in the context of the cuts being felt by other public services we welcome this additional funding for policing.

“The need for a step change in investment to transform and improve policing remains. While today’s settlement is welcome, it does not fully address the challenge for this second phase of police reform. The need to develop a new and sustainable model for policing is a priority for policing in the year ahead.”

For more information on the Scottish Government's Budget visit: Draft Scottish Government Budget 2024-25