Pay freeze is an insult to hard-working police officers

26 November 2020

The confirmation of a public sector pay freeze is an insult to police officers who have put their health at risk while policing the pandemic.

That is the view of the chair of Humberside Police Federation.

Pete Musgrave was commenting after Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed in yesterday’s Spending Review announcement that most workers in the public sector would have their pay frozen.

“This did not come as a complete shock because there was speculation on Friday that this was on the cards,” said Pete, “However, I think when these kinds of stories come out you do still hope that they are just speculation and that they won’t come to fruition.

“Sadly, that was not the case with this and the Chancellor’s speech will not have gone down well with police officers who throughout the pandemic have risen to the challenges they have faced in terms of policing ever-changing guidelines and unprecedented restrictions on people’s liberty.

“Of course, we understand that the pandemic has caused an economic crisis. But I think the fact that police officers are facing a pay freeze is insulting given the pressure they have been under and the dangers they have faced. They have done their best to help protect their communities and yet their efforts don’t appear to have been recognised, or appreciated.”

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 the announcement.