Police forces are in line for a below-inflation increase in funding next year.

According to proposals set out by the Government, the Home Office said forces will receive an additional £287 million in 2023/24.

This would take overall spending to £17.2 billion – a 3.6% boost per but far short of the current rate of inflation which is arounf 11%.

The inflation rate is expected to fall to around 5.2% by the middle of next year.

The figure assumes forces crime commissioners will up the council tax precept to £15, generating £349m.

The Home Office said it is on track to deliver the promised 20,000 additional officers.

Some senior police officers has doubted the wisdom of the pace at which the plan is being implemented in terms of recruitment, vetting and training.

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But Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Our police make sacrifices every day to protect the British people, and I am steadfast in my admiration for our hardworking, brave and dedicated officers.

“It is vital that we continue to invest in the priorities that matter most to our communities, and we must do more to cut crime and restore confidence in our police.

“With over 15,000 additional officers already recruited and thousands more on the way, this package will support our forces to get the basics right and keep communities safe across country.”