Scotland Yard’s new efficiency computer system is £10 million over budget

A new computer system which was intended to generate efficiency savings at Scotland Yard to allow more front line officers on the beat is running £10 million over budget.

The scheme was intended to cost £38 million and save £15 million a year while transforming the running of the Met's human resources department. In fact, costs have already reached £48 million and there is no date for when the computer system will be operational.

Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has been attending a series of crisis meetings and the force has taken legal advice over the contract.

Martin Tiplady, the Met's director of human resources, said: "This has been a very big technical programme. It has taken longer to do and has cost more than we hoped. Savings of £15 million have already been realised."