Branch chair backs calls for police pay restoration as PFEW submits evidence to review body

6 March 2026

Durham Police Federation chair Louise Guest has urged the Government to demonstrate its commitment to policing after the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) finalised its latest submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB).

The report, submitted yesterday, sets out the Federation’s case for a minimum seven per cent annual pay award over the next three years. The proposal aims to address what the PFEW describes as a long-term erosion of police pay, with officers experiencing a real-terms reduction of more than 20 per cent over the past 15 years.

The submission also raises serious concerns about officer morale, retention and operational capability, warning that all three are on a continued “downward spiral” with direct consequences for public safety.

The report follows the Government’s remit letter to the PRRB, which stated that any recommendations must reflect affordability within existing funding settlements. It also comes after the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) indicated it would support a 3.5 per cent pay award only if fully funded, dropping to 2.5 per cent if additional funding is not provided.

Police pay

Speaking in response, Louise said the Federation’s recommendation represents a vital step towards restoring fairness in police pay.

“I believe the pay recommendation put forward is an important move towards reversing years of decline in officers’ earnings, but it must now be matched by clear commitment from the Government,” she said.

“Our members continue to give everything to protect the public, despite growing uncertainty about their own financial futures. That has gone on for far too long. Now is the moment for action.

“Officers work tirelessly, often under immense pressure, and they should never have to question whether their dedication will be properly valued. We have seen the damage that sustained real-terms pay cuts have done to morale, and that is feeding directly into retention problems, placing even greater strain on those who remain.”

 

Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP

 

Louise also referenced recent comments by Policing Minister Sarah Jones (pictured), who said the Government was serious about its support for policing.

“Ministers have said officers should have no doubt about the Government’s backing. This is the opportunity to turn those words into decisive action by accepting this proposal and sending a powerful message that officers truly matter.”

Following confirmation that the submission had been finalised, PFEW national secretary John Partington warned against limiting pay decisions to existing budgets.

“If affordability within current budgets becomes the ceiling for police pay, we are guaranteeing a broken service,” he said.

Rising crime

“It is neither fair to officers nor affordable to the public, who ultimately pay the price through rising crime and reduced safety.

“A properly independent review body must determine what resources effective policing truly requires, not simply how much more can be squeezed from already overstretched finances.”

He also expressed disappointment that the NPCC was willing to consider what he described as a low settlement.

“Officers will be putting their health and their lives on the line this weekend knowing their chiefs are recommending what amounts to a real-terms pay cut,” he said.

“You cannot ask for more courage, more resilience and greater personal risk while steadily reducing the value of the job. Brave and dedicated men and women are leaving policing in record numbers because it no longer pays enough to justify the cost to them and their families.”

Assaults

Alongside pay restoration, the PFEW is calling for structural reform of police remuneration, including the introduction of a military-style ‘P Factor’ to recognise the unique risks, restrictions and psychological trauma inherent in policing.

Evidence submitted to the PRRB highlights the scale of the challenge facing the service, including:

• Almost half of all constables have five years’ service or less

• Record levels of mental health-related sickness absence

• Persistently high levels of assaults on officers

The Federation says meaningful pay reform is essential not only to support officers, but to safeguard the long-term resilience and effectiveness of policing.

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