James Evans MS has warned that Dyfed-Powys Police is facing a real-terms cut in funding, despite a headline 4.2% cash increase announced for the next financial year.
Total funding for Dyfed-Powys Police is set to rise from £163.6 million in 2025–26 to £170.5 million in 2026–27, a cash increase of £6.9 million. However, with inflation running at around 3.5% and employer National Insurance contributions rising from April, almost all of that increase will be swallowed up just to keep services at their current level.
With around 80% of police budgets taken up by staff costs, the additional National Insurance burden is expected to absorb what little remains of the funding uplift, leaving the force under even greater financial pressure.
James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brecon & Radnorshire, said:
“Ministers will boast about a 4.2% increase, but once inflation and higher National Insurance costs are taken into account, Dyfed-Powys Police is actually worse off. This is a real-terms cut dressed up as a funding boost.
“With police budgets dominated by wage costs, the National Insurance rise hits Dyfed-Powys particularly hard. Almost the entire increase is being eaten up just to keep services running at the same level. The UK Government promised public services would be compensated for these extra National Insurance costs. This shows that promise has not been kept.
“The end result is fewer resources, less visible policing, and more opportunities for criminals and rural communities like ours will feel that first and hardest.”
