TSSA Warns: BTP Financial Plan Falls Short of Protecting Staff and Passengers

This week, the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) approved a revised 3-Year Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the British Transport Police (BTP). While the plan introduces a more collaborative approach between BTPA and BTP, TSSA, the only recognised trade union within BTP for all police staff, warns it does not go far enough to ensure the protection of staff and passengers.

Key Concerns:

Staffing Crisis:

Years of cuts have pushed BTP numbers to the limits of safe headcount reduction. Over 500 posts are due to disappear by the end of 2025/26, with stations already closed and visibility reduced. Additionally, these staff reductions mean police officers are expected to absorb the work previously done by staff, impacting their public presence.

Rising Crime:

Figures presented to the BTPA show police presence on the railway has fallen by nearly a third since 2009/10 while crime levels are rising.

• Overall recorded crime up 5.4%
• Violent offences up 14%
• Violence against women and girls up 12%
• Violent offences against rail staff up 35% since 2022/23

Financial Plan Highlights:

Approved resource expenditure:

• 2026/27: £445.9m (+6.5%)
• 2027/28: £472.0m (+5.9%)
• 2028/29: £483.9m (+2.5%)

In response to the initial proposal, BTP indicated that it may be forced to remove 116 jobs because of the efficiency requirements tied to the MTFP for 2028/29. While the efficiency target reduced to £16.3m (3.4%) in year 3, BTP made clear that the third-year settlement creates a £2 million hole in its budget, risking further job losses.

This week, ahead of today’s meeting, TSSA along with fellow rail unions and TUC wrote to the BTPA warning of the threats to staff and public safety further staffing reduction would have.

TSSA response

In response to the financial plan, TSSA General Secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust 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 the 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 obtain a safe and reliable railway.

ENDS

TSSA is the only trade union representing civilian staff and PCSOs in BTP.