Preserve Special Constables' Allowances

12.00.00am GMT Fri 23rd May 2003

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has written to the Home Secretary over concerns regarding the allowances provided to Special Constables.

His letter to David Blunkett follows information given to Mr Lamb which states that the Police Reform Act will take away the £30 yearly boot allowance to which Specials are currently entitled, together with their automatic meal allowance.

"I am very concerned about the impact that this could have on Special Constables," said Norman Lamb.

"The work they do is extremely valuable, and to scrap these allowances will not only hurt morale, but have a practical effect on the ability of Specials to carry out their duties. The equipment they have to purchase is not cheap, and the cost rapidly adds up.

"I am aware that Norfolk Constabulary has been working very hard to try to resolve this situation. I too have asked the Home Secretary to reconsider the decision to abolish these allowances. At a time when the Government is trying to encourage more people to become Special Constables, it seems perverse that it is making this important job more difficult for those that do it to sustain."