Majority of officers will get less than five per cent pay rise

22 July 2022

Around 60 per cent of Suffolk Police Federation members will receive a pay rise below the average five per cent increase awarded by the Government this week, according to branch chair Darren Harris.

Darren has welcomed the fact that the Government has appeared to listen to the Federation’s pleas for new recruits and young in service officers to be paid better since many are struggling to make ends meet but says the pay award will do little to help the Force retain older and more experienced officers.

The Government revealed on Tuesday that officers will receive a £1,900 pay rise from 1 September this year.

“Of course, any apparent increase has to be welcomed, particularly in the current cost of living crisis,” says Darren, “Some new recruits come out with very little disposable income once they have paid out the usual outgoings of accommodation, other households bills and food and travel costs. We are pleased to see that the Government has recognised the financial strains they are under.

“But our more experienced officers are also facing financial hardship too. Some are resorting to food banks, others cannot afford to put fuel in their vehicles.

“When you factor in the rising cost of living and soaring inflation, the small percentage increase they will receive from September will soon be wiped out completely.

“We need the Government to do more to bring police officer pay, across all ranks, back to where it should be. Over the last decade officers have suffered a 20 per cent real terms pay cut and that is shocking when you consider the dangers they face on a daily basis and the crucial role they play in keeping their communities safe.”

Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) chair Steve Hartshorn has said the Government’s pay award was a “small first step” in repairing relationships between ministers and police officers.

“Officers have already faced two years of a blanket pay freeze, a 20 per cent real-term pay cut since 2010, and now huge additional cost of living pressures. The average five per cent settlement announced on Tuesday is still below inflation, and PFEW believes the Government ‘still has a long way to go’ to demonstrate it is treating officers with the dignity and respect they deserve. This is only a small first step forward in regaining their trust,” he said.

“It is disappointing that the pay increase is not good news for all officers, negatively affecting those in higher ranks. It’s in the Government’s direct interest to ensure that all police officers are paid properly and can pay their bills. If they don’t, retaining the high-quality officers our country needs - and this Government promised - will be doomed to fail.

“PFEW has worked, and will continue to work, for better work conditions for all our members.”