TSSA Says BTP Funding Plan Fails to Address Critical Staffing Crisis

The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) has approved a revised 3-Year Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the British Transport Police (BTP), but rail unions warn the funding does not go far enough to protect staff and passengers.

While the plan outlines a more collaborative approach between BTPA and BTP, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) – the only recognised union for all BTP police staff – has raised concerns that ongoing staff reductions and rising crime threaten safety across the network.

Years of budget cuts have pushed BTP staffing to critical levels, with over 500 posts expected to disappear by the end of 2025/26. The reductions have already led to station closures and decreased visible police presence. Unfilled roles are placing extra responsibilities on police officers, drawing them away from public-facing duties.

Recent figures indicate that overall police presence on the railways has dropped by nearly a third since 2009/10, while crime has risen. Recorded offences are up 5.4% overall, violent crimes are up 14%, violence against women and girls has increased by 12%, and violent incidents against rail staff have risen 35% since 2022/23.

The approved financial plan sets resource expenditure at £445.9 million in 2026/27, £472.0 million in 2027/28, and £483.9 million in 2028/29. Despite this increase, BTP has warned that efficiency requirements tied to the plan could force the removal of 116 jobs in 2028/29. Even with a reduced efficiency target in the third year, BTP highlights a £2 million shortfall that risks further job losses.

Ahead of the BTPA meeting, TSSA, alongside other rail unions and the TUC, wrote to the authority highlighting the dangers that additional staffing reductions could pose to both staff and public safety.

Maryam Eslamdoust, TSSA General Secretary, said:

"While this budget is a step in the right direction, it does not reverse years of underfunding that have left rail staff and passengers exposed. It will not replace the 500 staff positions due to be lost by the end of 2025/26. Though the proposal plans for additional police officer roles, as we have already seen, the reduction in staff positions means police officers must now take the additional work of previous staff roles, taking them out of the public domain. This issue will only escalate if more staff roles are removed. We will continue to support and advocate for our members in BTP and across the rail network, to avoid any staff redundancies and ensure that BTP is sufficiently funded to maintain a safe and reliable railway."

Image: TSSA