The Government must turn promises on the cost of living into action, delivering fair pay, sustainable funding and investment in frontline policing to keep the public safe.

The Police Federation warns without competitive pay, fair conditions and proper support, policing risks losing more experienced officers. Officers must also have the right protective equipment to do their jobs safely.

The police funding formula has been branded outdated and ineffective by politicians for more than a decade, while the Police Federation has been warning of the need for reform for just as long. Yet the Government has still failed to fix it.

Short-term cash settlements and rising reliance on council tax are leaving forces in the lurch, fuelling a postcode lottery where the level of policing you get can depend on where you live.

With the Lord Hogan-Howe review expected to consider police force structures, funding must be central to the debate. Reform must not come at the expense of frontline officers, their working conditions or public safety.

The Federation is urging parliamentarians to press the Government on three priorities:

• Fair pay and conditions: Fully fund police pay awards, protect rest days and introduce meaningful collective bargaining and binding arbitration.
• Sustainable reform: Guarantee that restructuring costs are funded separately, without transferring the burden to frontline officers through increased workloads or reduced resources.
• Urgent funding formula reform: Set a clear timetable for reform and provide immediate support to forces facing exceptional financial pressures.

Paul Williams, Acting Deputy National Chair of the Police Federation, said: “Police officers are battling the cost of living while putting themselves on the line every day to keep the public safe. They deserve fair pay, decent conditions and kit that protects them when danger strikes.

“When experienced officers leave, they take years of skills and knowledge with them, piling pressure on those left behind and putting public safety at risk. Even the Government’s independent police pay review body warned officers’ goodwill and personal sacrifice are being exploited, damaging morale, wellbeing and retention. This cannot continue if we are to keep experienced officers in policing and protect the public.

“Warm words won’t pay the bills, keep officers in the job or protect the public. Promises won’t plug the gaps in policing. Government must act now to deliver the pay, protection and resources officers need to do their jobs and keep our communities safe.”