McDonnell calls for boost to police budget following Paris terror attacks

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has written to George Osborne this evening, urging him to review the police budget in order to protect frontline services in order to deal with the increased security threat following Friday’s attacks in Paris.

McDonnell recommends excluding this expenditure from the Charter for Budget Responsibility and says that Labour will support the Government in these measures in order to keep the public safe.

You can read the full letter below:

Dear George,

I am writing to you in light of the tragic events in Paris at the weekend.

The Prime Minister is correct in drawing attention to the risk our communities now face and the resources we will need to invest to strengthen our security services, including increased aviation security.

Therefore, if it would help you, I would support that the enhanced expenditure needed to meet the increased threat to our security be excluded from the parameters of the Charter for Budget Responsibility.

This would include an urgent review of the Policing budget to protect policing services that clearly will be playing a vital role on the ground and in our communities in ensuring the safety of our people.

When it comes to national security and keeping the public safe, I can assure you that you will always have the support of the Labour Party; and I hope you will welcome this suggestion as a helpful and constructive proposal in the spirit of goodwill that it is intended.

Yours sincerely,

John McDonnell MP
Shadow Chancellor