Cost-cutting on sick pay ‘could push police officers towards suicide’
Removing sick pay for police officers signed off work with mental health issues could push some into taking their own lives, the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has warned.
The warning, revealed today in the latest edition of 1919 Magazine, comes after Police Scotland axed some of its discretionary sick pay arrangements due to financial pressures. At least 19 officers have been told they will not have their sick pay extended.
In a letter to Chief Constable Jo Farrell, the SPF warned that the decision could “push people with mental health issues to suicidal thoughts or actions that may be irreversible”.
Under current rules, officers are entitled to six months of full pay when signed off work, followed by a further six months on half pay.
The Chief Constable also has the discretion to allow officers to continue to receive full or half pay beyond this point, but the force is tightening up this aspect as it tries to balance its budget.
Figures published last year following a Freedom of Information request revealed that 513 officers were on long-term sick leave, having been off work for 28 days or more. The same figures also showed that 2,253 officers were on reduced office-based roles – known as restricted or modified duties – a rise of eight per cent on 2023.
David Kennedy, SPF general secretary, said he was “extremely concerned” that the Chief Constable’s hand was being forced by budget pressures.
In his letter to Chief Constable Farrell, he said: “The absence of any meaningful consultation on an issue with such significant implications for officers risks undermining both the established partnership arrangements and the confidence officers have that their welfare is being properly considered.
“For officers who are already dealing with illness or injury, the sudden removal of pay can have a profound financial and personal impact.
“It is therefore essential that decisions of this nature are taken transparently, consistently and we would ask with appropriate engagement with the SPF.
“It is obvious that financial pressures may make some officers get back to work, but it will also push people with mental health issues to suicidal thoughts or actions that may be irreversible. That is why we ask that this is done appropriately and with our engagement, so that officers can be properly supported.”
The concerns were raised after a letter from Police Scotland’s head of human resources to one of the affected officers confirmed that the policy on sick pay was changing.
It specifically mentioned the fact that the force had sought a £105 million uplift from the Scottish Government in its budget for 2026/27, but had received only £90 million. “This represents a challenging position that will have operational consequences and work is ongoing to establish a balanced budget,” the letter said.
“As a result, the organisation must reduce operating costs to meet its statutory obligation to set a balanced budget and live within its budget.
“Due to the organisation’s current financial position, the governance and scrutiny arrangements for the exercise of particular case discretion have been enhanced.
“While all requests continue to be considered on an individual basis, decisions are now subject to enhanced executive-level oversight to ensure they are appropriate, affordable and taken consistently on individual merits.”