Government labelled “abhorrent” for dismantling PNB

THE end of the UK wide Police Negotiating Board is “abhorrent” and its demise “does a fundamental disservice to the fine men and women of the police service in England and Wales”, Scottish politicians have been told.

Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, (pictured) told MSPs the PNB had become a “broken system in recent years dominated effectively by the Home Office, there for no other purpose but to make sure the Government’s agenda is not breached.”

He said his organisation “welcomed” the creation of the new Scottish Police Negotiating Board but said it would be a “massive loss of opportunity” if Scotland simply tries to replicate that “broken” UK PNB model in Scotland.

Following a recommendation in the Winsor pay reviews, south of the border – much to the disappointment of the Police Federation of England and Wales – a Pay Review Body is replacing the Police Negotiating Board in the latter half of next year. A spokesman for the Fed stated: “The lack of an ability to negotiate is a concern and there will be no ability to resist the Pay Review Body’s recommendation.”

However north of the border, as part of the Criminal Justice Bill – currently going through the Scottish Parliament – a Scottish Police Negotiating Board will be created.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill promised in April at the Scottish Police Federation conference that, following any Scottish PNB disputes – when both Staff and Official side of the PNB fail to agree on a matter – any arbitration on pay would be “legally binding on the government I serve and any future administrations”.

Speaking to MSPs on 1 October, Mr Steele said the Scottish Police Federation consider it “manifestly unfair” that current arbitration is only binding on the Staff Side.

He added: “There is an indication from the cabinet secretary as least as far as pay is concerned that he would be willing to have pay matters binding.

“But the [current] legislation is structured in such a way that whilst a cabinet secretary can bind himself – or a future herself – they do not necessarily bind Parliament.

“Because the binding of an individual – while you might have confidence in that individual and their ability to perform the job – is not the same as having binding arbitration in its own right and that is something that would need to be addressed during the main provisions of the Criminal Justice Bill.”

In England and Wales – and with the current PNB – arbiters can make a decision on police pay disputes but the Home Secretary retains the final decision on whether accept their proposals. In 2007, then Home Secretary Jacqui Smith rejected a decision on a pay rise for officers, leaving front line officers outraged.

Scottish officers however, were given their 2007 pay rise in full.

Also speaking to MSPs on 1 October, John Gillies, director of Human Resources for Police Scotland, said: “We welcome the creation of the PNB for Police Scotland. In general terms we are very supportive of what is being proposed.”