Gloucestershire police is facing job cuts due to a £12.3 million budget shortfall, affecting non-uniformed staff while officers remain unaffected
Gloucestershire: The police force is in a tough spot. They announced job cuts to tackle a £12.3 million budget gap. It’s a real bummer for non-uniformed staff, but police officers won’t be affected.
Interim Chief Constable Maggie Blyth shared that any job cuts will be carefully considered. She wants to minimize the impact on everyone involved. Officers will still be out there on patrol, so no worries there.
She mentioned that like many forces, they’re facing serious financial challenges. They’ve tried to save money, but now they’ve run out of options. It’s a tough situation for everyone.
Maggie expressed regret about the need for redundancies. They’re projecting a need to find an extra £12.3 million by March 2026 to balance the budget. The recent government funding helps, but it’s not enough.
They have to ensure they deliver services effectively. So, they’re starting discussions with UNISON about redundancy proposals. It’s a worrying time for staff and the community.
While they can’t say which roles are at risk yet, Maggie reassured everyone that police officer numbers will stay the same. If you need help, they’ll still be there for you.
Last October, they even offered £10,000 to staff who wanted to leave voluntarily. It was a way to avoid future compulsory redundancies. It’s a tough time, but they’re trying to handle it as best as they can.
