Pay freeze is a ‘bitter pill to swallow’

26 November 2020

The confirmation of a public sector pay freeze will be a bitter pill for officers to swallow, says the chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation.

And Geoff Bardell says it is even harder for officers to accept because of the challenges they have faced in policing the pandemic.

“While we had heard on Friday that the Chancellor may announce a pay freeze for most workers in the public sector, including police officers, the fact that this has been confirmed in the Spending Review yesterday will still be a blow,” says Geoff.

“We all appreciate the efforts of doctors and nurses during the pandemic and we accept that they have been excluded from the pay freeze. But I think the Government is wrong to impose a pay freeze on the other frontline workers who throughout the pandemic have put their health at risk while maintaining vital public services.

“Police officers suffered an 18 per cent cut to their wages in real terms during the austerity years and their salaries already fail to reflect the very real dangers they face on a daily basis – particularly when you consider new recruits’ pay – so this pay freeze is going to have a real impact on them.”

John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation has called the pay freeze, a ‘kick in the teeth for police officers’.

“This year my colleagues have been on the frontline in the battle against Covid-19, protecting the public and putting their own safety and the safety of their families at risk. Despite the warm words and the weekly applause for key workers, it seems to count for nothing,” he said.

“We are realists; we know that the country is facing a difficult economic future. But rewarding those who have played a vital role in the fight against the virus with a pay freeze is nothing short of a disgrace.

“A handful of officers will get the additional £250 for the lowest paid workers, but only those who are already on an appallingly low starting salary for the dangerous job they do.

“I appreciate the devil will be in the detail, but the headlines from today’s announcement does nothing to show appreciation to police officers and other public sector workers who have kept the wheels turning during 2020.”

The police minister has confirmed incremental pay rises and promotion for members would not be affected by yesterday's announcement.