Pay issues will make officers quit says Welsh lead

24 February 2023

Police Federation Welsh lead Nicky Ryan has warned more and more officers will quit the service unless long-running issues around pay are resolved.

Nicky was speaking after it emerged that police officers across England and Wales were in line for a 3.5 per cent increase despite inflation still running at around 10 per cent.

The Chief Constable of South Wales has called for a “fair” pay offer which recognises the work of the police.

Jeremy Vaughan, speaking in his role as pay and conditions lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), said: “Police officers deserve fair pay that reflects their unique duties and contribution to society, including their responsibility to run toward danger, as well as recognising that they are restricted in taking on second jobs and are not allowed to strike.

“Any pay award should recognise the impact of the cost of living on officers and be fully funded.

“We have submitted our evidence to the Police Remuneration Review Body and ask that their recommendations to the Government on pay take all of these factors into consideration.”

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has called for a 10 per cent rise for his officers and the Police Federation said it supported his view that inflation must be taken into account when this year’s offer is made.

Nicky said: “I was really pleased to hear Mr Vaughan and Sir Mark speak out to highlight the real struggles of rank and file officers and I hope other chief officers will do the same.

“Our members have endured real terms pay cuts of 28.7 per cent at the lowest end of the pay scale over the last decade.

“They have been struggling with the cost of living crisis and some are finding it difficult to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads.

“The situation is unsustainable and I am genuinely worried about how what is happening now will have an impact in the future as more and more of our officers look elsewhere for better paid jobs.

“I have seen figures suggesting nine officers a day are applying for Australian police forces. If we can’t retain experience, where is our police force of the future?

“The Government really needs to have a good look at what it is doing to our police service and address this ongoing pay issue now, once and for all.”

The Home Office has made its formal submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) and suggested a 3.5 per cent increase would be affordable.

The PRRB will now consider the evidence before reporting back to ministers with its recommendations in May.

The Police Federation withdrew its cooperation with the PRRB two years ago after questioning its independence in the wake of a zero per cent award.

In its written submission to the PRRB, the Home Office said it was working closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) on assumptions on pay and other anticipated pressures.

It said considering the additional funding available from £17.2 billion 2023/24 police funding settlement, and forces seeking to maximise efficiencies, there was scope for forces to budget up to a 3.5 per cent pay award.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman urged the PRRB to take inflation into account before publishing its final recommendations.

She said: “Pay awards must strike a careful balance - recognising the vital importance of public sector workers while delivering value for the taxpayer, considering private sector pay levels, not increasing the country’s debt further and being careful not to drive prices even higher in the future.

“In the current economic context, it is particularly important that pay review bodies have regard to the Government’s inflation target when forming recommendations.”