The Budget and Performance Committee met on Monday 1 June 2026 to discuss the Metropolitan Police Service's funding and officer numbers, as well as the budget and performance of the Oxford Street Development Corporation. Key decisions included noting the report on Metropolitan Police Service funding and officer numbers, and delegating authority to the Chairman to agree any output from the subsequent discussion. The committee also noted the report on payments over £250 and its work programme.

Metropolitan Police Service Funding and Officer Numbers

The committee heard that Metropolitan Police officer numbers had fallen from 34,523 in April 2023 to 31,181 in March 2026, while police staff and PCSO numbers had increased. This reduction in officer numbers was attributed to nearly a decade of underfunding, with tough choices having to be made in previous years. Despite recent increases in funding from the Home Office and the Mayor of London, the cumulative impact of underfunding meant that officer numbers had not yet recovered.

Kaya Comer-Schwartz, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, explained that the focus for the current year was on stabilising officer numbers at around 32,570. She acknowledged the Mayor's past ambition of 38,000 officers, which was inclusive of both police officers and PCSOs, but stated that current efforts were concentrated on stabilization due to funding constraints. The Metropolitan Police Service requires recruiting over 2,000 officers annually to maintain current numbers due to natural attrition.

Concerns were raised about the sustainability of the trend of the GLA precept funding an increasing proportion of the Met's budget. Amarna Humayun, Chief Finance Officer at MOPAC, stated that once the precept is increased, it is recurrent funding, but future increases depend on permission from the Home Office and MHCLG, and the Mayor's decision to implement them. She also highlighted the difficult balance MOPAC faces in allocating limited resources between frontline policing, transformation programmes, and essential services for victims and vulnerable Londoners, such as the Appropriate Adult Service and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).

The committee also discussed the Metropolitan Police Service's estate strategy, which referred to the potential need for further reductions in officer numbers. It was clarified that this was included for flexibility, as the final budget for 2026-27 was lower than anticipated, and a significant budget gap for 2027-28 (£125 million) would necessitate workforce changes if funding levels did not improve.

The discussion also touched upon the Metropolitan Police Service's approach to workforce and financial planning in the absence of confirmed future funding, with scenarios being planned for. The estate strategy was based on the workforce levels at the time of publication and an assessment that workforce reductions might be necessary if funding did not change.

Assembly Member Alessandro Georgiou questioned the NPS's preparedness to adapt to lower police officer numbers if funding remained constrained, and what the Deputy Mayor's red lines or priorities would be. Deputy Mayor Comer-Schwartz reiterated her priorities as continued work on neighbourhood policing and public protection, citing positive results in crime reduction. She acknowledged that other areas might be lower down the pecking order, such as civilianisation of roles and non-workforce efficiencies.

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the procurement of the Unified Operational Analytics contract. The Deputy Mayor stated she did not approve the contract due to concerns about the process followed by the Met, which had not ensured demonstrable value for money and had not adhered to the scheme of delegation for MOPAC approval. She clarified that this was not about Palantir or its values, but purely a process issue. Adrian Wright, Interim Chief Finance Officer at the Metropolitan Police, expressed that he was not clear on what exactly had gone wrong with the process, leading to ongoing discussions with MOPAC.

The committee also heard about the Metropolitan Police Service's resource allocation, with workforce costs being approximately 80% of the budget. Investment in neighbourhoods was a priority, supported by ring-fenced funding. The cost of capital financing was also increasing significantly.

Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC)

The committee received a report and heard from guests regarding the Oxford Street Development Corporation's (OSDC) budget and plans. Nabeel Khan, CEO of the OSDC, outlined that the £144 million capital programme for phase one of the Oxford Street Regeneration Project, focusing on pedestrianising Oxford Street West, aims to deliver significant economic benefits. GLA Economics estimates an annual increase in GVA of £82 million, support for 781 jobs, and additional VAT and business rates receipts.

Concerns were raised about the lack of secured commercial sponsorship for the project, despite the Mayor's announcement of his intention 18 months prior. Nabeel Khan explained that the OSDC was only recently incorporated and is still establishing its foundations, including recruiting a planning committee and developing its commercialisation strategy. He assured the committee that a plan for commercialisation would be part of his 100-day plan, with the aim of having a strategy in place by the end of the first year.

The committee also discussed the capital programme, with a projected budget gap over 2027-29 due to rising interest and financing costs. Adam Barrett, CFO of the OSDC, stated that current budget submissions do not include assumptions on commercial income, which is expected to bridge these gaps. He confirmed that the annual funding requirement by 2030/31, including revenue spending and debt costs, is estimated to be around £27-28 million.

Regarding transport infrastructure changes for the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street West, Helen Cansick from TfL detailed changes to traffic signalised junctions, bus stops, and bus routes. She also mentioned the reimagining of the pedestrianised space, including temporary seating and hostile vehicle mitigation, with permanent designs to follow. TfL has no current plans for step-free access at Oxford Circus or Marble Arch stations due to high costs and disruption.

Concerns were raised about the potential impact of the scheme on local residents, particularly regarding accessibility and safety. Nabeel Khan assured the committee that inclusivity is a key objective, with ongoing dialogue with disability groups and a commitment to co-designing the space. He also addressed concerns about rough sleeping, stating that the OSDC will work closely with Westminster and Camden Councils on mitigation measures.

The committee also noted the payments over £250 made by the Greater London Authority and its subsidiaries during the period 7 December 2025 to 31 March 2026. Finally, the committee noted its work programme and meeting dates for the remainder of the 2026/27 Assembly year.

Decisions Made

• Metropolitan Police Service Funding and Officer Numbers: The committee noted the report as background for questions to invited guests and delegated authority to the Chairman, in consultation with party Group Lead Members, to agree any output arising from the discussion.
• Payments over £250: The committee noted the report detailing payments over £250.
• Budget and Performance Committee Work Programme: The committee noted its work programme and meeting dates.

The meeting was confirmed as held, and decisions were made.