Home Secretary refuses to be drawn on police pay

THE Home Secretary has refused to confirm that she would ratify any decisions of the Police Remuneration Review Body over an officer pay rise this year.

The Police Federation of England and Wales has requested a 2.8% pay rise for officers for 2016 from the PRRB.

But the Home Secretary offered no assurances that she would stick to the body’s recommendations.

Steve White, Federation Chairman, used his keynote speech to address the issue. He told the Home Secretary on Tuesday: “We’re not asking for spectacular bonuses. Just respect and adequate, fair reward. Which has been sadly lacking.

“With cuts to pay and pensions, no wonder police officers tell us they are demoralised. That’s why we’re asking the Police Remuneration Review Body for a pay increase of 2.8%.”

He said the increase was based on “well-researched evidence” and that last year the Pay Review Body “congratulated us on the quality of our evidence and the case we presented”.

Police officers have faced a real-term pay cut of 15% over the past six years, Mr White added.

He said: “In the scheme of things, 2.8% is a pitiful amount of money, but as you can never really put a price on the dedication and heroism of our police officers, we understand the need to be pragmatic. And that’s why what we are asking for is a bare minimum.

“Home Secretary, we will accept the recommendation of the Pay Review Body. We have to. We simply ask that you do the same. And we are sure you will treat our case in the same, open-minded, responsible way that your colleagues in Parliament have treated their own.

“They accepted the recommendation of the independent body when it recommended a 10% pay rise for all MPs. No public sector pay cap there. So, all we ask is that you honour our pay review body recommendation too even if it exceeds the 1% public sector pay cap.”

Mrs May did not address the issue of pay during her speech. However, speaking to journalists after the Conference, the Home Secretary refused to commit to honouring the Police Pay Review Body’s decision.