Public 'should not foot the bill' for Conservative Party Conference says PCC

Central
West Midlands
birmingham
Conservatives
Friday 2 September 2016 at 11:27am

Credit: PA Images

People of the West Midlands should not have to foot the £460,000 bill for the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.

That's according to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the region David Jamieson.

The annual conference will take place in the city from October 2nd to 5th 2016 at the ICC.

Mr Jamieson says that although he welcomes the event, he feels the public shouldn't have to pay for it considering the huge budget cuts facing police.

The policing of the conference according will reportedly cost around £2.1 million, paid for by the government.

But there is still a £460,000 bill for the region’s public purse with this rising to more than half a million pounds in 2014.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron during his keynote speech last year. Credit: PA Images

Last year, the Conservative Party conference is believed to have brought £17 million to the region's economy with more than 14,000 delegatesvisiting the city over the four day event.

Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at a previous conference. Credit: PA Images

Mr Jamieson says he's written to Home Secretary, Amber Rudd MP about the issue.