Police 2021 Pay Rise: Federation reaction

22 July 2021

Police officer 2021 pay rise decision announced by Government tonight: "As set out at the Spending Review (2020), there will be a pause to headline pay rises for the majority of public sector workforces in 2021-22"

Reacting, Neil Mennie, Chair of Kent Police Federation, said: “After an extraordinary year when policing faced a number of additional challenges at both an organisational and personal level we are to be rewarded with nothing.

“The warm words about policing - as many suspected - have translated into a kick in the teeth. There seems little point in having a pay review body that is prevented from undertaking any recommendations about pay this year.”

Reporting today, the “independent” Police Remuneration Review Body stated “This year our remit did not include making an overall pay award recommendation” so it did not bother. It also rejected any notion of a “bonus” for officers for their hard work policing the Covid-19 pandemic.

Neil added: “The Government has the front to describe the ‘Covid’ extraordinary circumstances as a reason not to uplift our pay when most sensible people would at least recognise the need to reward our efforts.

“This looks like easy pickings for Government and will certainly create extreme anger among our members who appear to be the ‘poor relation’ in the Government’s treatment of the public sector.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales said: “The current pay system for policing is not fit for purpose. We are forced to enter into an inherently unfair process from the start, with the odds weighted firmly in favour of the Government where, it seems, a decision has already been made when they set the parameters for the pay review body.

“It is now essential that we review this process and look to find an alternative. A solution that has the best interests of police officer pay at heart. We will be seeking the views of our members and calling an urgent meeting with our 43 Federation branches from across England and Wales to discuss our next steps.”