Labour writes to the Home Secretary warning it is the "worst possible time" for cuts following the Brussels and Paris attacks.
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| Govt Accused Of Hiding Border Cuts |
The UK Border Force faces "dangerous" cuts totalling tens of millions of pounds, according to Labour.
Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham claims a whistleblower has revealed cuts of 6% in the next financial year and the one after.
The warning comes amid increased fears over security in the wake of the terror attacks in Brussels and Paris.
Mr Burnham has written to the Home Secretary warning it is the "worst possible time" to cut the Border Force.
He told Sky News: "We have been told, by whistleblowers within the border force late last week, that they were told to expect cuts of up to 6%. And not just in the coming year but the one after that as well.
"My message to the Government is quite simple: this is the worst possible time to be cutting the border. In light of the attacks in Brussels and in Paris we should be strengthening our border, not weakening it."
However, the Home Office responded by saying the budget has not yet been finalised.
A spokesman said: "This Government has clearly demonstrated that we will take all the necessary measures to maintain the security of our borders.
"Last week we announced £41m for additional Border Force officers as part of a crackdown on border crime.
"We have invested tens of millions of pounds to bolster security at ports in northern France and will invest more this year to further strengthen the UK border.
"Over the next four years, we will increase the counter-terrorism budget by £500m and invest £130m in state-of-the-art technology at the border.
"All necessary funding and investment will be in place by the start of the next financial year."
The department's funding has fallen from £617m in 2012/13 to just £497m in 2015/16.
Reducing the total by 6% in the next two years would see it fall to £467m in 2016/17 and £439m in 2017/18.
Source : Here