Police Pay Award 'Does Not Go Far Enough'
19 July 2022
The police pay rise is a step in the right direction, but still leaves officers lagging behind those working in other industries, according to Avon and Somerset Police Federation.
Chair Mark Loker was speaking after the Government announced a £1,900 pay rise for all officers from 1 September.
The rise equates to an 8.8% increase for the lowest paid officers – and is equivalent to a 5% overall pay award when all ranks and pay scales are taken into account.
The Home Office said it had accepted the recommendations of the Police Remuneration Review Body in full, saying it reflects “the vital role police officers have on the frontline making our streets safer”.
Mark said: “The last time I checked the rate of inflation was 9%, add to that Police Officers pay is behind by 20% over the last decade, so whilst it may seem ungrateful that we have had the largest pay award in over a decade, it does not go far enough.
“Police officers for too long have been treated as lesser workers, lackies, due to our inability to challenge Government and remove our labour. The Government has continued to treat us with contempt and have decimated our pay and pensions.
“The announcement today that police officers will get a pay award of £1,900 from 1 September 2022 is positive news for those young in service and new joiners, but is more disappointing for those longer in service and in supervisory ranks who are also struggling financially.
“It also does not take into any account the loyalty, dedication and sacrifice that senior officers and career police constables make. It fails to take into any account and reward the hard work and continuing dedication of those officers who have remained as constables to carry out the duty of protecting the public and guiding those junior officers.
“That being said, this is a step in the right direction, albeit a small step. The most important question is does it go far enough in repairing relationships between ministers and our hard-working police officers? The pay increase awarded by Government will help in bridging the gap between household incomes and the current cost of living, but still leaves us behind pretty much every industry.
“We have been relentless in our persistence and our appeals, but the biggest step in this is that it would seem the Government are finally starting to listen to the huge concerns we have over low police pay and respecting the independence of the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB).
“PFEW has called repeatedly for this and this is potentially the biggest and most positive step in the right direction.
“However, PFEW will continue to fight for a fully independent review body that offers consistent and considered pay awards going forward. It is right that the findings of the PRRB are accepted in full, unimpeded by Government – as it has been in the past when the Home Secretary attempted to direct them to a recommendation.
“It is disappointing that the pay increase is not good news for all officers, negatively affecting those in higher ranks. It’s in the Government’s direct interest to ensure that all police officers are paid properly and can pay their bills. If they don’t, retaining the high-quality officers our country needs and this Government promised will be doomed to fail.”
The Government also announced it has raised the starting salary for officers joining on the Degree Apprentice programme to £23,556 – also from 1 September.
The Dog Handlers’ Allowance will also be increased by 5%.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “It is right that we recognise the extraordinary work of our officers who day in, day out, work tirelessly to keep our streets, communities and country safe.”
In its recommendation to the Government, the PRRB noted concerns about the cost of living on junior ranks.
The Home Office said it would be supporting forces with an additional £350 million over the next three years, from within its existing budget, to help cover the associated costs of the pay award.
