A HOLYROOD committee has raised concerns over a predicted £17.5 million budget gap facing Police Scotland.

Evidence taken from organisations representing police and civilian staff of low morale and high stress due to budget problems and workload was outlined in the justice sub-committee on policing report on finances.

The report to the justice committee states: “The sub-committee notes the cabinet secretary’s evidence that the forecast overspend of the 2016-17 budget may be reduced.

“However, evidence from policing bodies suggesting that levels of basic police funding are currently insufficient is a cause for concern.”

Justice secretary Michael Matheson told committee members the forecast overspend could be reduced due to funds expected to be recouped from a botched IT overhaul.

However, chief superintendent David Crossan, of the Association of Police Superintendents, said the 2016/17 budget was being “propped up” by £55m of one-off reform cash and “is about £80m short of a sustainable budget”.

The report adds that following an evidence session with oversight body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland, including David Page, who was appointed in August to help fix the force’s financial woes, it was “left unclear about the short-term measures” being taken to address immediate issues.

It states: “The appointment of Mr Page and the work being undertaken to deliver a long-term sustainable financial strategy are welcome.

“The sub-committee’s expectation was that Mr Page and the SPA would address the immediate financial concerns raised by the union representatives during the evidence session and in written evidence, and it was therefore disappointing that no measures to address immediate issues were proposed.”

Published on Thursday, the day the Scottish draft budget was announced, the report states: “The sub-committee notes that the Scottish Government’s approach seems to move away from its current commitment to maintain 17,234 police officers.

“Given the urgent nature of the concerns raised by all three unions, we recommend that Police Scotland and the SPA prioritise this part of the 2026 strategy and communicate with staff about their intentions as soon as possible.”

The Scottish draft budget for 2017/18 pledged to protect the police budget and ensure the force has the “right mix and numbers of officers and staff” but no longer pledges to retain police officer numbers at 17,234 as in previous years.

The report welcomes Matheson’s commitment that the force is “on target” to meet its £1.1 billion of efficiency savings by 2025/26.

An SPA spokeswoman said: “Latest financial reports considered by the SPA board continue to project a net overspend for the current financial year which we are working to close.

“The publication next week of the final SPA accounts for 2016-17 will also confirm a small overall net overspend on the last year.

“The combination of rising and complex demands, cost pressures and the need to invest to transform our service and organisation have been clear to us for some time and are part of the drive to develop a 10-year strategic vision and strategy for policing in Scotland.

“That work to set out a 2026 direction for policing is well advanced, has been the subject of advance engagement with partners and workforce representatives, and we look forward to engaging more widely with communities upon it in the new year.

“Clearly, the pace and phasing of the journey to implementation of that strategy has a critical financial element to it.

“The announcement of the proposed Scottish budget for 2017-18 begins the process of understanding the financial implications that policing in Scotland will face in the coming year, and both SPA and Police Scotland will be considering that with the Scottish Government in further detail in the coming days and weeks.”