SOUTH Yorkshire Police is facing a £6m shortfall in its budget because of legal fees incurred from the new Hillsborough inquests.
The Home Secretary announced earlier this week that the government was giving South Yorkshire £10.7m to cover the legal bill run-up so far at the inquest.
The costs come from the current chief constable along with eight former and serving officers being called to give evidence, the South Yorkshire force has a legal duty to support its staff.
But South Yorkshire Police Commissioner Dr Alan Billings has warned that the situation is 'grave' because the amount awarded is 'substantially less' than required - around £6m less.
** The full story is in the Barnsley Chronicle newspaper, dated April 3. **
