Sir Edward Leigh, the Conservative MP for Gainsborough, has written to the Policing Minister urging the government to kick start its previous planned changes in police funding.

“I support the Chief Constable in his desire to see the Government continue on their previous programme of revising the police funding formula,” Sir Edward said in his letter to Nick Hurd MP. The publication of initial findings was postponed due to the 2017 general election.

“It is vital that this process is restarted soon, as there will be a need for a substantial consultation period between publication of the findings and implementation.”

Sir Edward pointed out that the current system is not fit for purpose and that Lincolnshire is an underfunded force.

“Only North Yorkshire receives a lower level of funding. Our police grant is 33% lower than even our neighbours in Humberside, at £87.88 per head against £132.16.”

The MP of more than thirty years’ service in parliament commended Lincolnshire Police for the great work they were doing on a stringent budget, but said there was no alternative but an increase in funding.