Federation Chair: Government Is Yet Again Influencing Police Pay Body

The way the Government is trying to influence the supposedly independent police pay body is “shameful”, Sussex Police Federation has said.

Home Secretary James Cleverly has sent a letter to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) reminding it that last year it recommended “historically high pay awards” and that this year it was vital that it consider the “Government’s affordability position”.

Raff Cioffi, Chair Elect of Sussex Police Federation, said this showed why the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) withdrew from the PRRB process in 2021. At the time, the PFEW criticised the lack of independence the PRRB process was afforded by the Government, which was able to accept or reject its findings with no recourse.

Raff said: “What a shameful comment from the Home Secretary to suggest that last year’s pay rise needs to be considered for this year’s review.

“This simply implies that the PRRB should disregard the evidence when it comes to police pay, and solely concentrate on Government savings. This is why PFEW has removed itself from the PRRB. It is not an independent process and currently it can be disregarded and ignored when it reaches its conclusion. Our members deserve better.”