There is an established legal basis for use of live facial recognition technology, including by the Metropolitan Police service. This has been tested and confirmed by the Courts, and includes requirements for compliance with data protection, equality, and human rights laws. A number of public bodies are currently responsible for overseeing police, including the Metropolitan Police Service, use of live facial recognition technology. These bodies include the Information Commissioners Office, Equality and Human Rights Commission, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, Independent Office for Police Conduct, Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner. In addition, users of the technology must comply with College of Policing guidance and their own published policies. To provide further confidence to both the public and policing that this technology is being used lawfully, and without bias the Government has committed to introducing a new legal framework, through the Police Reform Bill, to underpin law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies. Through this framework we will make it clear when use of these technologies can be justified and applied consistently. Additionally, this framework will also establish a single, expert body to provide independent advice and oversight. To inform the new legal framework governing law enforcement use of facial recognition, biometrics and similar technologies, the Government launched a public consultation on 04/12/2025. The consultation explored when and how technologies like live facial recognition should be used and asked the public what factors are relevant to consider when assessing interference with privacy and other rights. The Government response to the consultation will be published in due course and a copy of the response will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and published on Gov.uk.

There is an established legal basis for use of live facial recognition technology, including by the Metropolitan Police service. This has been tested and confirmed by the Courts, and includes requirements for compliance with data protection, equality, and human rights laws. A number of public bodies are currently responsible for overseeing police, including the Metropolitan Police Service, use of live facial recognition technology. These bodies include the Information Commissioners Office, Equality and Human Rights Commission, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, Independent Office for Police Conduct, Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner. In addition, users of the technology must comply with College of Policing guidance and their own published policies. To provide further confidence to both the public and policing that this technology is being used lawfully, and without bias the Government has committed to introducing a new legal framework, through the Police Reform Bill, to underpin law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies. Through this framework we will make it clear when use of these technologies can be justified and applied consistently. Additionally, this framework will also establish a single, expert body to provide independent advice and oversight. To inform the new legal framework governing law enforcement use of facial recognition, biometrics and similar technologies, the Government launched a public consultation on 04/12/2025. The consultation explored when and how technologies like live facial recognition should be used and asked the public what factors are relevant to consider when assessing interference with privacy and other rights. The Government response to the consultation will be published in due course and a copy of the response will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and published on Gov.uk.

The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this. This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs. The 2026–27 final police funding settlement provides up to £21.0 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an increase of up to £1.4 billion compared with the 2025–26 settlement, representing a 6.9% cash increase and a 4.8% real terms increase. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will receive up to £4.0 billion of funding in the 2026-27 police settlement. This is a £184.1 million increase when compared with the 2025-26 settlement, equating to a 4.8% cash increase and 2.8% real terms increase. In addition, following close working with the Metropolitan Police and MOPAC over the last year, the Government provided the MPS with exceptional financial support in 2026-27 of £20m. This is a significant additional contribution, on top of additional Home Office funding provided in previous years, to support the MPS on its path to financial sustainability. Funding for Counter-Terrorism Policing increased this year (2026-27) to £1.2 billion. This ensures they have the resources to respond swiftly and decisively to terrorist incidents, no matter where they take place. For security reasons we do not provide a breakdown of CT Policing funding or deployment. Decisions about the operational deployment of officers and staff into specialist functions are for Chief Constables, PCCs, and Mayors with PCC functions to make based on their local knowledge and experience. Robust workforce plans will ensure forces can continue to manage budgets whilst effectively deploying force resources to serve and support communities. The Home Office does not collect information on how many officers have been transferred from (a) Counter Terrorism Policing and (b) other specialist commands to Basic Command Units within the Metropolitan Police Service. Ministers engage regularly with Chief Constables, including the Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner, to discuss a variety of policing and crime related issues. Information detailing Ministerial engagements are logged as part of the transparencies data linked here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/home-office-ministers-hospitality-data.

The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this. This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs. The 2026–27 final police funding settlement provides up to £21.0 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an increase of up to £1.4 billion compared with the 2025–26 settlement, representing a 6.9% cash increase and a 4.8% real terms increase. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will receive up to £4.0 billion of funding in the 2026-27 police settlement. This is a £184.1 million increase when compared with the 2025-26 settlement, equating to a 4.8% cash increase and 2.8% real terms increase. In addition, following close working with the Metropolitan Police and MOPAC over the last year, the Government provided the MPS with exceptional financial support in 2026-27 of £20m. This is a significant additional contribution, on top of additional Home Office funding provided in previous years, to support the MPS on its path to financial sustainability. Funding for Counter-Terrorism Policing increased this year (2026-27) to £1.2 billion. This ensures they have the resources to respond swiftly and decisively to terrorist incidents, no matter where they take place. For security reasons we do not provide a breakdown of CT Policing funding or deployment. Decisions about the operational deployment of officers and staff into specialist functions are for Chief Constables, PCCs, and Mayors with PCC functions to make based on their local knowledge and experience. Robust workforce plans will ensure forces can continue to manage budgets whilst effectively deploying force resources to serve and support communities. The Home Office does not collect information on how many officers have been transferred from (a) Counter Terrorism Policing and (b) other specialist commands to Basic Command Units within the Metropolitan Police Service. Ministers engage regularly with Chief Constables, including the Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner, to discuss a variety of policing and crime related issues. Information detailing Ministerial engagements are logged as part of the transparencies data linked here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/home-office-ministers-hospitality-data.

The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this. This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs. The 2026–27 final police funding settlement provides up to £21.0 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an increase of up to £1.4 billion compared with the 2025–26 settlement, representing a 6.9% cash increase and a 4.8% real terms increase. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will receive up to £4.0 billion of funding in the 2026-27 police settlement. This is a £184.1 million increase when compared with the 2025-26 settlement, equating to a 4.8% cash increase and 2.8% real terms increase. In addition, following close working with the Metropolitan Police and MOPAC over the last year, the Government provided the MPS with exceptional financial support in 2026-27 of £20m. This is a significant additional contribution, on top of additional Home Office funding provided in previous years, to support the MPS on its path to financial sustainability. Funding for Counter-Terrorism Policing increased this year (2026-27) to £1.2 billion. This ensures they have the resources to respond swiftly and decisively to terrorist incidents, no matter where they take place. For security reasons we do not provide a breakdown of CT Policing funding or deployment. Decisions about the operational deployment of officers and staff into specialist functions are for Chief Constables, PCCs, and Mayors with PCC functions to make based on their local knowledge and experience. Robust workforce plans will ensure forces can continue to manage budgets whilst effectively deploying force resources to serve and support communities. The Home Office does not collect information on how many officers have been transferred from (a) Counter Terrorism Policing and (b) other specialist commands to Basic Command Units within the Metropolitan Police Service. Ministers engage regularly with Chief Constables, including the Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner, to discuss a variety of policing and crime related issues. Information detailing Ministerial engagements are logged as part of the transparencies data linked here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/home-office-ministers-hospitality-data.

The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this. This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs. The 2026–27 final police funding settlement provides up to £21.0 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an increase of up to £1.4 billion compared with the 2025–26 settlement, representing a 6.9% cash increase and a 4.8% real terms increase. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will receive up to £4.0 billion of funding in the 2026-27 police settlement. This is a £184.1 million increase when compared with the 2025-26 settlement, equating to a 4.8% cash increase and 2.8% real terms increase. In addition, following close working with the Metropolitan Police and MOPAC over the last year, the Government provided the MPS with exceptional financial support in 2026-27 of £20m. This is a significant additional contribution, on top of additional Home Office funding provided in previous years, to support the MPS on its path to financial sustainability. Funding for Counter-Terrorism Policing increased this year (2026-27) to £1.2 billion. This ensures they have the resources to respond swiftly and decisively to terrorist incidents, no matter where they take place. For security reasons we do not provide a breakdown of CT Policing funding or deployment. Decisions about the operational deployment of officers and staff into specialist functions are for Chief Constables, PCCs, and Mayors with PCC functions to make based on their local knowledge and experience. Robust workforce plans will ensure forces can continue to manage budgets whilst effectively deploying force resources to serve and support communities. The Home Office does not collect information on how many officers have been transferred from (a) Counter Terrorism Policing and (b) other specialist commands to Basic Command Units within the Metropolitan Police Service. Ministers engage regularly with Chief Constables, including the Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner, to discuss a variety of policing and crime related issues. Information detailing Ministerial engagements are logged as part of the transparencies data linked here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/home-office-ministers-hospitality-data.

The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this. This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs. The 2026–27 final police funding settlement provides up to £21.0 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an increase of up to £1.4 billion compared with the 2025–26 settlement, representing a 6.9% cash increase and a 4.8% real terms increase. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will receive up to £4.0 billion of funding in the 2026-27 police settlement. This is a £184.1 million increase when compared with the 2025-26 settlement, equating to a 4.8% cash increase and 2.8% real terms increase. In addition, following close working with the Metropolitan Police and MOPAC over the last year, the Government provided the MPS with exceptional financial support in 2026-27 of £20m. This is a significant additional contribution, on top of additional Home Office funding provided in previous years, to support the MPS on its path to financial sustainability. Funding for Counter-Terrorism Policing increased this year (2026-27) to £1.2 billion. This ensures they have the resources to respond swiftly and decisively to terrorist incidents, no matter where they take place. For security reasons we do not provide a breakdown of CT Policing funding or deployment. Decisions about the operational deployment of officers and staff into specialist functions are for Chief Constables, PCCs, and Mayors with PCC functions to make based on their local knowledge and experience. Robust workforce plans will ensure forces can continue to manage budgets whilst effectively deploying force resources to serve and support communities. The Home Office does not collect information on how many officers have been transferred from (a) Counter Terrorism Policing and (b) other specialist commands to Basic Command Units within the Metropolitan Police Service. Ministers engage regularly with Chief Constables, including the Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner, to discuss a variety of policing and crime related issues. Information detailing Ministerial engagements are logged as part of the transparencies data linked here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/home-office-ministers-hospitality-data.

The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this. This Government is committed to ensuring that policing has the resources it needs. The 2026–27 final police funding settlement provides up to £21.0 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an increase of up to £1.4 billion compared with the 2025–26 settlement, representing a 6.9% cash increase and a 4.8% real terms increase. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will receive up to £4.0 billion of funding in the 2026-27 police settlement. This is a £184.1 million increase when compared with the 2025-26 settlement, equating to a 4.8% cash increase and 2.8% real terms increase. In addition, following close working with the Metropolitan Police and MOPAC over the last year, the Government provided the MPS with exceptional financial support in 2026-27 of £20m. This is a significant additional contribution, on top of additional Home Office funding provided in previous years, to support the MPS on its path to financial sustainability. Funding for Counter-Terrorism Policing increased this year (2026-27) to £1.2 billion. This ensures they have the resources to respond swiftly and decisively to terrorist incidents, no matter where they take place. For security reasons we do not provide a breakdown of CT Policing funding or deployment. Decisions about the operational deployment of officers and staff into specialist functions are for Chief Constables, PCCs, and Mayors with PCC functions to make based on their local knowledge and experience. Robust workforce plans will ensure forces can continue to manage budgets whilst effectively deploying force resources to serve and support communities. The Home Office does not collect information on how many officers have been transferred from (a) Counter Terrorism Policing and (b) other specialist commands to Basic Command Units within the Metropolitan Police Service. Ministers engage regularly with Chief Constables, including the Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner, to discuss a variety of policing and crime related issues. Information detailing Ministerial engagements are logged as part of the transparencies data linked here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/home-office-ministers-hospitality-data.