In these difficult financial times, I have to fight tooth and nail to ensure a fair deal for local taxpayers. Back in July, I raised the issue of funding for Surrey Police in a Parliamentary debate here, given concerns that we risked a further cut. I made the case for protecting the 'damping' mechanism that safeguards a certain level of Surrey funding, until we have the chance to look at the wider police funding formula which disadvantages us.

Last week, Home Office Minister Damian Green confirmed the damping system would remain in place, here, safeguarding the financial equivalent of 83 police constables. It is an important victory both for local law enforcement and local taxpayers.