Federation reacts to speculation on public sector pay freeze

20 November 2020

A public sector pay freeze would be a ‘kick in the teeth’ for police officers and other front-line workers who have been at the forefront of the nation’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, says West Midlands Police Federation chair Jon Nott.

Jon was commenting after speculation that Chancellor Rishi Sunak may freeze the pay of more than five million public sector workers when he details the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review next week.

“While nothing appears to be set in stone right now and this may not be what comes out of the spending review, I am deeply concerned about these reports,” says Jon, “Police officers and other public sector workers have given their all during the pandemic, putting themselves at risk and risking exposing their own families to the virus while serving and protecting their communities.

“I know many colleagues are feeling exhausted having coped with the pressures of policing during the pandemic so this news will be a kick in the teeth. I just hope that when the Chancellor makes his announcement he puts this speculation to bed and actually makes a public show of support for public sector workers.

“We appreciate that the nation has been hit hard financially due to the pandemic but I do not think a public sector pay freeze should be seen as a way for the Government to save money.”

John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, has warned the Government that a public sector pay freeze would be unforgiveable and a betrayal.

“Given the personal sacrifices made by public sector workers during this pandemic and following years of public sector pay freezes, such a move would be morally bankrupt. My colleagues deserve much more,” he said.

“During the pandemic, Government ministers have thanked and celebrated key workers in the public sector, even clapping on doorsteps to show their support. To freeze their pay and penalise these same workers would be complete hypocrisy.

“In real terms over the past decade, police officers have suffered an 18 per cent cut in pay - so speculation that there are more real term cuts to come will not be well received by rank and file police officers, who bravely stepped up and helped to keep the country moving.

“I am not naïve - I know the country is facing a difficult financial future. But cutting the pay of key workers is not the solution.”