Merger Madness Costs Get Worse and Worse

4.49.04pm GMT Mon 6th Nov 2006

Commenting on the continued refusal from the Home Office to pay back, full costs incurred by Welsh Police Forces under the Government's failed police merger proposal, Jenny Willott MP said:

"Not only has the Government wasted over 30,000 hours of Welsh police time with their police force merger proposals, it seems that the original estimated costs to the forces of £1m was far below the true cost which is around £1.5m.

"The Government has bullied the Welsh police forces during this whole affair, whilst raiding their wallets in the process.It is no wonder that Welsh police forces are feeling slightly battered and bruised after what they've been through.

"The Government cannot give back Welsh police forces the 30,000 lost hours, but they can give them back the £1.5m of police funds they have wasted."