Police officers to get seven per cent pay rise

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) said today’s announcement (July 13) was a “step in the right direction”, but still falls short of the real-term pay cut officers have suffered since 2000.

A report published earlier this year by the independent think-tank, Social Market Foundation, found that police officers had endured a 17 per cent real-term pay cut since 2000, taking into account inflation.

Steve Hartshorn, national chair of the PFEW, said: “Today, the Government have announced they have accepted in full the recommendation of the Police Remuneration Review Body, and officers will therefore receive a pay increase of seven per cent from September 1 this year.

“That is a step in the right direction, but we must not lose sight of the fact that this uplift still fails to take account of the real term cut of 17 per cent officers have suffered since 2000.

“It is important that government also provides new money for the pay award so that chief officers do not have to cut essential services to the public to fund it.

“Hearing today’s news, I have no doubt that police officers will have mixed feelings – on the one hand, they will be pleased that the pay award was not as bad as some media outlets had speculated, but also disappointed that it doesn’t fully take account of inflation, as they and their families struggle with increased utility, mortgage and food costs.

“We will continue to push for fair pay awards that take full account of inflation and recognise and reward the unique status of police officers; including the introduction of a fair, independent mechanism and negotiation process, so that we can properly sit down with government and employers to negotiate pay settlements that fully consider the risks and restrictions placed on police officers’ private and professional lives.

“The focus going forward needs to be on pay restoration.”

National Police Chiefs’’Council lead for pay and conditions, Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan, said: “We welcome that the Government has accepted the PRRB recommendations on police officer pay in full.

“The safety of the public depends on us having enough officers on the streets, and we need to ensure that they are paid fairly if we expect them to remain in policing.

“The real terms pay of officers has decreased by 17 per cent since 2010, and this pay award begins to address some of the financial pressure that our officers have been under.

“We recognise the financial pressure on government, and we welcome their significant contribution towards the funding of this pay award, which will support police forces in maintaining the number of officers on the street.”

College of Policing’s chief executive officer, Chief Constable Andy Marsh, said the seven per cent rise for police officers was welcome.

“No one joins policing to earn a large salary but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t recognise the risks officers take to protect the public,” he said.

“This is a significant pay rise and I will continue advocating for fair pay that reflects the unique role of policing.”

Home Secretary Suella Braverman MP tweeted: “Police officers will receive a deserved seven per cent pay rise, with the most junior officers getting a £5,000 boost.

“We have more officers than at any time in our history working tirelessly to keep us safe, and this pay rise reflects their dedication to our communities.”

The PRRB also considered proposals for a new pay structure for chief constables and deputy chief constables. It is recommended it is implemented for new appointments with effect from September 1, with existing chief constables and deputy chief constables transitioning to the new structure over at least three years.

The new chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Donna Jones, said: “We welcome the announcement today of a seven per cent pay award for all police officers.

“Particularly on the evening of the Police Bravery Awards we are reminded that our officers work tirelessly and with great courage to keep our communities safe and this pay award, the highest in the public sector, is important in recognising their commitment and addressing the increased cost of living.

“We also welcome the additional funding in support of this pay award that will support the front line and the additional officer numbers delivered through Police Uplift.

“We are pleased that the Home Secretary has agreed in principle to reduce the number of different rates of pay for chief constables from 12 to three and we look forward to working with the Home Office and policing partners on the detailed implementation plan to deliver this reform.”

Annette Petchey, chief executive officer, Metfriendly, said: “Getting the police pay levels resolved has been critical for police family finances but it is just one step in what needs to happen to keep our country safe.

“This essential service requires huge amounts of personal commitment and resilience – from police staff and their supportive families – and today too many of those individuals are struggling with their finances.

“In our recent Police Family Finance Index we found over a quarter of police officers and support staff are missing meals – a key indicator of household poverty – and nearly nine in ten have financial concerns.

“While a pay rise will help in the short term, if it means the money is coming out of the core police budget we worry about where the negative impact will be felt instead.

“We believe money should never be a barrier to someone joining and staying with the police and will continue to work with individuals and industry to deliver the best financial outcomes.”

The seven per cent pay increase for police was the joint highest in the public sector, alongside prison officers

The pay increases for other public sectors were: NHS – six per cent; junior doctors – six per cent; Armed Forces – five per cent; and teachers – 6.5 per cent.

The PRRB said that its recommendation for an annual pay uplift of seven per cent for all officers up to and including the rank of assistant chief constable and commander “reflects our obligation to deliver a fair and just pay award”.

It added: “In addition, we are recommending the abolition of pay point 0 of the constable scale to address the financial pressures on the most junior ranks and support ongoing recruitment.

“To recognise the growing responsibilities of the superintending rank, we are recommending an adjustment to pay point three of the chief superintendent pay scale to be implemented over two years.

“With regard to chief officers, we recommend that all those above the ranks of assistant chief constable and commander should receive at least five per cent.

“Those officers in posts whose pay is being uplifted as part of changes to realign and simplify senior pay arrangements will receive an additional award, such that the overall uplift does not exceed seven per cent.”