A National Insurance increase on top of a police pay freeze is "adding insult to injury" for officers

8 September 2021

The Government’s decision to increase National Insurance contributions on top of this year’s police pay freeze is “adding insult to injury” for officers, Kent Police Federation has said.

The 1.25% rise in National Insurance, which the Government says is needed to pay for health and social care, follows a 0% pay rise for police officers. Kent Police Federation Chairman Neil Mennie said that the impact on officers would feel even worse considering they had been put under “exceptional additional pressure” during the pandemic.

Neil said: “If ever there was a definition of adding insult to injury, this is it. Hardly having time to take a breath since being told that officers will get no pay rise, we can now look forward to paying more National Insurance.

“To some extent, we have always been the public sector family member who you can readily take advantage of. After the exceptional additional pressures in recent times, that feels even worse. An occasional political pat on the head interspersed with huge ill-informed criticism, depending on which way the wind is blowing, is predictable and tiring.

“I have seen the suggestions in social about giving up voluntary roles, but in reality many officers enjoy them and are using them for career progression and participating in something different. Likewise with overtime, it should be a bonus and not relied upon, but for those already struggling with finances and family costs it’s another concern.

“It’s a shame that we don’t get the Government support at the same level as the support we get from the public, who as ever seem far more appreciative of what we do.”

Other public sector workers have received a pay rise this year, while police officers earning over £24,000 received 0%. This amounts to a real-terms cut in pay, especially as inflation is at 2%.

John Apter, Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) tweeted: “After more than a decade of pay caps and pay freezes, now an increase of NI, police officers will be seeing a significant cut to their pay at a time when they are at breaking point, many already broken. Policing is underfunded and undervalued by this Government.”

He continued: “After stepping up during the pandemic, facing the abuse, the assaults, working in hospitals, driving ambulances, removing bodies from homes, policing almost unenforceable legislation, this is their thanks. The Government has lost the trust of my colleagues.”