WELSH Secretary Peter Hain is pledging that the government will pay 100 per cent of the net start-up costs of a merged all-Wales police force.

But Mr Hain, who made the announcement to Welsh MPs at the Welsh Grand Committee, said savings are to be made through redundancies of non-front-line staff.

Speaking to the Argus afterwards, he said: "The home secretary has commited himself to funding the net start-up costs of the merger. That is the initial costs of the merger less the savings made by cutting duplication. "There are considerable savings in this of more than £10m, and that will release money to go to the front line."

He added: "These savings will include the redundancy of back-office staff." The merger plans would see Gwent Police merged into an all-Wales force.

The Argus is campaigning to retain Gwent Police and the proposals have angered local politicians and the public. They remain unconvinced that the merger would not hit council tax bills or affect local policing.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn said the offer has not changed his views "in the slightest". He said: "In practice these savings never materialise."

He is also concerned that Gwent council tax payers could have to pay more.

A spokesman for the Home Office said that there would be no increases in council tax as a direct result of the merger, saying police precepts would be equalised across Wales in phases.

But Mr Flynn said this was pointless. "People in South Wales will still end up paying more if their payments are equalised with North Wales," he said. William Graham, AM for South Wales East, also said his views on the merger had not changed.

"The point is this merger is not needed, so any costs are a waste. It won't do anything to improve front-line policing, the only changes will be in administration."

MP for Monmouth David Davies agreed and said he wanted 100 per cent assurance from Mr Hain that the police would not be expected to use their reserves.

"This is all part of a move towards centralisation and more political control over police constables," he said.

But the move was welcomed by Newport East Labour MP Jessica Morden. "The confirmation that the Home Office will be doing this is to be warmly welcomed," she said.

Torfaen MP Paul Murphy says a regional structure must be entrenched in any all-Wales force.

He said: "To combat serious organised crime and terrorism, a single Welsh police force is necessary. It is important that the regions are recognised on a statutory basis, I urge the government to do this."