Chairman's reaction: Public sector pay freeze lifted

26 October 2021

“Officers are not driven by money, it’s a dedication for the job and the officers next to them. It follows that a fair recognition in the form of a pay increase isn’t too much to ask.”

Police officers are set to see their pay rise once again next year after the Government confirmed the public sector pay freeze is being lifted.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will use his Budget on Wednesday to say police officers, nurses, teachers and members of the armed forces are among those set to benefit.

A "temporary pause" in salary progression was introduced by the Government last November as a response to the pandemic – it saw police officers in England and Wales receive a 0% pay rise in 2021.

In an announcement late on Monday, the Treasury said the chancellor would use his forthcoming Budget to say "the solid economic recovery and encouraging signs in the labour market" mean the "pay pause" can be lifted.

Neil Mennie, Chair of Kent Police Federation, said “In light of this announcement the Government needs to recognise that any ‘independent body’ assessing police pay should be exactly that. The freeze being lifted for public sector pay needs to be backed up with some decent realistic increases.

“However I remain sceptical about the blanket use of the words ‘public sector’ as we seem to be in that sector but outside of it when it comes to pay.

“It’s apparent that we are not included in the ‘list’ that appears in the media about wage increases and when the chancellor announces the budget we will see if any crumbs from the table appear headed our way.

“It’s important that as many officers as possible complete this year’s National Police Federation pay and moral survey. Already I can hear the groans about ‘another survey’ but after last year’s pay farce we really need a concerted effort and spend a little of our precious time (I know) to complete it.

“It’s not right that some colleagues and their families struggle with finances doing a role that by its very nature is a high demand high pressure environment.

“Policing is a vocation and much of the time relies on the good will of officers. Just a few examples such as having to complete a remand file and starting it at the end of their shift when exhausted and tipping out at the end of a shift for that immediate call is just what cops do. Officers are not driven by money, it’s a dedication for the job and the officers next to them. It follows that a fair recognition in the form of a pay increase and not taking advantage of our crown servant status and patience isn’t much to ask.”

In a statement given to the media on Monday night, Mr Sunak said: "The economic impact and uncertainty of the virus meant we had to take the difficult decision to pause public sector pay.

"Along with our plan for jobs, this action helped us protect livelihoods at the height of the pandemic.

"And now, with the economy firmly back on track, it's right that nurses, teachers and all the other public sector workers who played their part during the pandemic see their wages rise."

Ministers will be "running a full pay round and the awards will be announced next year once the Government responds to the pay review bodies' recommendations", the Treasury added.

It was announced last week that all Scottish Police officers will receive a £700 pay rise in 2021, alongside a £250 working the pandemic bonus.