Uncertain future for the NPIA

The future of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) is undecided as speculation grows over plans following the general election.

Shadow minister for home affairs, Crispin Blunt, confirmed the Conservative Party is reviewing the effectiveness of the NPIA in improving standards across the police service and did not rule out radical reform of the agency.

The MP for Reigate was speaking at the launch of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) report into police efficiency and responded to questions over the role of the NPIA in coordinating collaboration and efficiencies.

He said: “We will want to take a careful view on how [the NPIA] has worked and make sure it is a vehicle for driving standards, or look at doing things differently. We haven’t come to a conclusion yet.”
Speaking at the same event, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke said it was bizarre that such an enormous number of people work ‘at the centre’ of policing. He said he would be in favour of just one agency, with half the staff there is currently, including at the Home Office.

“I would be in favour of taking a real knife – an intelligent knife – to have a real go at it,” he said.