Pay 'rise' is a slap in face for officers says Federation

26 July 2018

Surrey Police Federation Chair Mel Warnes has said the 2% pay award for police officers is a ‘slap in the face’.

The Government announced this week that all police officers would get a 2% pay rise from 1 September.

However, because last year’s pay award consisted of a 1% rise and a 1% one-off bonus, it means officers are effectively only getting another 1% in their pay packets.

"Police Officers are not being recognised financially for the job they do day in day out,” said Mel.

"There are many officers in Surrey who are financially vulnerable and what equates to an extra £2.50 a week is not going to help them pay bills and keep their own families safe.

"When inflation is accounted for this pay rise will leave police officers worse off."

Extra funds to pay for the award will also have to be found from force coffers, the Government has announced.

It ignored The Police Remuneration Review Body’s (PRRB) recommendation that the 1% non-consolidated award from last year be paid in 2017/18 on top of the 2% award.

"A 2% increase is the Government once again ignoring the independent pay review body’s recommendation for police pay,” Mel added.

"The recommendation submitted by PFEW was based on real evidence, so this outcome is a slap in the face, again.”