Home

Newsroom & speeches

Economic data & tools

Consultation & legislation

Independent reviews

Enterprise & productivity

Financial services

International issues

Public private partnerships

Public spending & reporting

Tax work & welfare

UK economy

Budget

Pre-Budget Report

Spending Review

About us

Careers

Other HMT sites

Terms & conditions

2004 Spending Review

PN A14

12 July 2004

New plans for police and criminal justice reform in Northern Ireland

The Government today announced spending plans for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) to modernise public services. The NIO budget continue to support reforms in policing and the criminal justice and prison services, and programmes to prevent and tackle crime and re-offending.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy, said:

“I welcome the settlement for the Northern Ireland Office which the Chancellor has announced today. The resources which have been made available will be used to continue to implement the Government’s policies in Northern Ireland and to move the peace process forward.

The spending review demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving the efficiency and productivity of public services and modernising the workings of government. I look forward to continuing with the wide ranging programme of reform to the police and prison services, and indeed to the whole of the criminal justice system. We are determined to increase confidence in the justice system and reduce crime in Northern Ireland.”

Details

• The settlement will support the delivery of the Patten police reforms to build a police service which is modern, efficient and effective and enjoys the support of everyone in Northern Ireland, through a major change in composition and investment in infrastructure.
• NIO will continue the modernisation of the criminal justice system, including a new Public Prosecution Service, which is independent, fair and responsive.
• New resources will also support investment in a more efficient and modern prison service including new prison accommodation and managed staff and prisoner safety.
• Specific NIO targets include: increasing public confidence in the police and criminal justice system by 3% by April 2008; increasing Catholic representation in the Police Service to 30% by December 2010; reducing specific types of crime and the re-conviction rate; and reducing the cost per prisoner place to £82,500 in 2007-08.
• Efficiency savings of at least £91 million by 2007- 08 will also be delivered.

back to top
2004 Spending Review index