The government has defended Number 10 North after concerns were raised about the cost of policing the prime minister’s Manchester office.
Greater Manchester deputy mayor Kate Green said the office was placing “significant additional demands” on the force, which is facing a predicted budget overspend of almost £10m this year.
The government said police force funding was at a “historic high” and GMP has had a £33.3m rise.
Andy Burnham said the branch of Downing Street in Manchester will form part of the Prime Minister’s aim to shift power from Whitehall and Westminster to regions.
Green said GMP’s financial position was “not unexpected” after what she described as a “poor funding settlement” from the government, rather than poor financial management locally.
The deputy mayor added: “Some of the pressures are new and arise out of the arrival of Number 10 North in the city region, which is of course very welcome, but I’m sure you can appreciate the significant additional demands that’s placing on Greater Manchester Police just across Albert Square.”
