Pay Rise Announcement Is 'Smoke And Mirrors' Illusion

20 July 2022

The police pay rise is a “smoke and mirrors illusion” that won’t go anywhere close to helping officers cope with the rising cost of living, Greater Manchester Police Federation has said.

Chair Lee Broadbent 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”.

But Lee told TalkRadio this morning: that the pay rise was “not acceptable”.

He added: “It’s not a pay rise, it’s a further pay cut on top of a decade of pay cuts.

“It’s not 5% overall – that’s the smoke and mirrors illusion that politicians are trying to play here. It’s a consolidated £1,900 pay award which lands differently depending on your level of service

“When you strip away tax, National Insurance and pension contributions it works out at about £85 a month. Fuel bills have almost doubled, it costs more to fil the car, gas and electricity bills have gone up . It’s swallowed up almost instantaneously.”

Lee told TalkRadio host Julia Hartley-Brewer that the PFEW’s National Council meeting would be discussing next steps following the Government’s announcement.

He added: “I’ll make no hesitation about it – our officers are angry, they’re tired. They’ve had year on year successive pay cuts, and I think every option that we have available should be on the table.”

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.