'Officers Are Struggling To Put Food On The Table'

19 July 2022

All police officers will receive a £1,900 pay rise from 1 September, the Government has announced.

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 has 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”.

Zoe Wakefield, Chair of Hampshire Police Federation, said: “On behalf of my members, I am extremely disappointed but not surprised by this pay award announcement.

“This is not a pay rise. Police officers have faced pay cuts every year for the last decade and this is just it happening again. Police officers are struggling to put food on the table and fuel in their cars. The Government do not care and do not recognise the sacrifices police officers make every day in order to keep the public safe.

“For many of our members this equates to a 3-4% increase which will barely be noticed amongst the increases in the living costs.

“It is infuriating that once again London Weighting has been increased but the South East Allowance has been ignored. The cost of living in the South East means many of our younger in service officers cannot afford to rent and have no chance of buying a property.”

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.