Police expect ‘no detriment’ to budget from Commonwealth Games

Police Scotland expects there will be “no detriment” to its budget stemming from the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow in 2026.

The decision to bring the Games back to Scotland’s largest city in just over 18 months was met with concern from some who worried it would stretch already struggling public finances, with the Scottish Police Federation worrying about how the security required would be paid for.

In a submission to the Criminal Justice Committee at Holyrood, Police Scotland said: “We will prepare to ensure a safe and secure Commonwealth Games in 2026, and maintain Scotland’s reputation as a world-leading venue for major events in the years ahead.

“Police Scotland is not yet in a position to determine the impact on our resources or the associated policing costs. We will work with our partners to assess the requirements to support delivery.

“It is our expectation that there will be no detriment to the policing budget arising from Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and that all incremental costs incurred from the games will be fully recoverable.”

The statement comes after First Minister John Swinney told journalists last week as the return of the Games was announced that funding for policing was “implicit in the funding of the Commonwealth Games and it’s important that those costs are met from within that budget”.