PFEW Subs Increase Should Have Been Suspended Until Next Year

POLICE Federation subscription costs need to increase – but this year is the wrong time to do it – South Yorkshire Police Federation has said. 

Subs will increase by 3.1 per cent from 1 October following a vote at the Police Federation of England and Wales’ annual conference.

South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent, who voted against the move, said: “This year, with the cost of living crisis, was not the right time to have an increase. We should have suspended this for a year. 

“The funding formula going forward is a correct one in that we haven’t been raising subs enough. There’s been almost ten years of not raising subs when we should have been doing so. But this year was the wrong time to do it. 

“That being said, it’s been voted on nationally, so therefore if the rise is going to happen this quickly, it’s only right that it’s the lowest figure, which is 3.1%. So that’s a silver lining.”

A spokesman for the Police Federation of England and Wales recognised the pressures officers are under, adding: “PFEW, however, is also facing increased costs. Soaring inflation, upcoming litigation and the financial health of our National Reserves Fund means we need to at least start to have an open and honest conversation on this subject with Federation Representatives to make sure that there is a strong, viable Federation fighting for our members for years to come.”

A total of 221 delegates voted for the increase, with 170 voting against and six abstentions at the meeting in May.