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Tory ministers were blasted today after their cash boost for police was wiped out by pension costs in a "stealth cut".

Home Secretary Sajid Javid told MPs forces will get another £161million in government grants next year.

But he admitted he is allocating just £153million to cover a £330million pensions black hole following a shake-up of the system.

Police leaders say that means their entire cash boost is wiped out by the cost of pensions changes.

That means the only way forces can get more cash overall is by raising their portion of local council tax - the "precept" - by up to £24.

The Mirror has seen a warning by one Commissioner, Cleveland, that says: "Before precept is considered, the organisation has less cash than it had last year from the government, taking into account the additional Pensions Costs."

MPs blasted Mr Javid in the House of Commons today as they highlighted shortfalls in their area.

(Image: PA)

Labour MP Ruth George fumed: "In Derbyshire, my own area, the Government’s increase in the grant does not even meet the increase in the police pension costs.

"There is a shortfall of £400,000, which has to be met by council tax payers before they even start to contribute towards the extra policing that we so desperately need."

Labour MP Maria Eagle said: "As the Merseyside police and crime commissioner has made very clear, the extra £8.4 million will be entirely consumed by the pension black hole caused by the Government.

"Talk about giving with one hand and taking away with the other."

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Tory MP Richard Drax said: "The Treasury is still attempting to pass pension costs on to police budgets.

"Dorset police are grateful for the £3 million to pay for that, but it still leaves Dorset to meet costs of £500,000 to meet that problem."

Labour MP Clive Lewis said: "Norfolk will get an extra £3.2 million from central Government, but that will be totally wiped out by the £3.4 million cost of pension contributions imposed by the Treasury."

(Image: Getty)

Labour MP Kevan Jones added: "The pension costs are going to be £330 million, yet the grant to local police forces is less than half that, at £153 million.

"In the case of Durham, that means that the police force’s pension allocation and core funding allocation will all be wiped out by this single pension liabilities debt, which has been moved on to it."

Commenting Shadow Policing Minister Louise Haigh said: "The truth is on policing, you cannot believe a word the Tories say.

"This stealth cut will mean tough choices for Chief Constables in the year ahead”

“Instead of spending grant money on priorities like fighting crime & child sexual exploitation, the police will be forced to plug the pensions black hole which the Government created.”

Home Secretary Sajid Javid raised the pensions issue during his statement to the House of Commons.

He said: "We will allocate more than £153 million to help forces manage increases in pensions costs."

He added: "We are giving PCCs the flexibility they need to use their precept to raise more public money where it is needed most.

"We have listened to requests from PCCs and empowered them to increase the amount they can raise through council tax precepts.

"This will allow them to ask for an additional £2 a month per household without the need for a local referendum.

"The extra cost to a typical household will be up to £24 a year."