Increase Does Not Counter ‘Decimation’ of Police Pay

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THE police pay award of £1,900 for all officers is not enough to deal with the “decimation” of officers’ pay, according to South Yorkshire Police Federation.

Chair Steve Kent said the announcement needed to be followed up with a structured plan for police pay in the coming years.

The rise equates to an 8.8% increase for the lowest paid officers – and is equivalent to a 5% overall pay award when all ranks and pay scales are taken into account. The rise takes effect from 1 September.

The Home Office said it had accepted the recommendations of the Police Remuneration Review Body in full, saying it reflects “the vital role police officers have on the frontline making our streets safer”.

Steve (pictured) said: “This pay award is better than feared following years of being largely ignored by the Government in term of fair pay.

“However, it’s still not enough to deal with the decimation to officers’ pay and needs to be followed up by a structured plan of pay awards in the coming years to redress the balance. It doesn’t even get close to meeting inflation.

“I am encouraged that our younger-in-service colleagues will benefit from this rise as their pay in early years of service is unsustainable at the moment.”

The announcement comes after the Police Federation of England and Wales, and the Superintendents’ Association, both withdrew their engagement from the PRRB, saying it was not fit for purpose.

Steve added: “The Government needs to follow this up with a fair and binding system of pay reviews so that the Federation can re-engage and ensure that pay is addressed properly going forward.”

The Government also announced it has raised the starting salary for officers joining on the Degree Apprentice programme to £23,556 – also from 1 September.

The Dog Handlers’ Allowance will also be increased by 5%.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “It is right that we recognise the extraordinary work of our officers who day in, day out, work tirelessly to keep our streets, communities and country safe.”