Police Officers in England and Wales will receive a 2.5% pay rise – to take effect from 1 September – 2020 after the Government accepted in full the recommendations of the\u202fPolice Remuneration Review Body.<\/p>\n
The Police Federation of England and Wales said that the 2.5% increase in pay across all ranks \u201cis a step in the right direction\u202fand, whilst it is less than the we asked for,\u202fwill be broadly welcomed against a backdrop of financial pressures on the economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was also announced that the Dog Handlers\u2019 Allowance will increase by 2.5%, there will be the removal of the lowest point on the sergeants\u2019 pay scale\u202fand that the London Allowance will increase by \u00a31,000.<\/p>\n
Steve Kent, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: \u201cI welcome the fact that Police officers will be seeing a pay rise – it does not go anywhere near repairing the damage caused by the vicious austerity which has affected Police Officers in the last decade and that is why the PFEW made the case for 5%. I do recognise however that we are in difficult times and as long as there are consistent year on year pay rises in the future rather than a return to pay freezes then rather than being happy, I am at least content but guarded as to this not being a one off and it actually needs to signify that we aren\u2019t going to return to those dark days as Police Officers have suffered enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
PFEW National Chair John\u202fApter\u202fsaid:\u202f\u201cIn the current financial climate with so much uncertainty, the fact the Government has fully accepted the recommendations of the PRRB will come as a relief.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo my colleagues deserve more? Absolutely, and\u202fthe Government must go further\u202fto pay officers fairly for the\u202funique and dangerous job they do.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, with the economic vulnerability we face as a country, many colleagues will be\u202frelieved\u202fto\u202freceive a 2.5%\u202fpay increase – anything lower would have been completely unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PFEW in its submission to the\u202fPolice Remuneration Review Body had asked for 5%.<\/p>\n
Mr Apter\u202fcontinued:\u202f\u201cIt is positive to see the Government abiding by proper process and accepting all the recommendations of the PRRB.\u202fThis has not always been the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to fight to get\u202four members the\u202fpay they deserve\u202ffollowing a real-terms cut of\u202f18%\u202fduring the last decade, the effects of which have taken their toll.\u201d<\/p>\n
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Our amazing police have responded to unprecedented challenges during coronavirus. To recognise their immense efforts, we will be increasing their pay this year. To everyone in the policing family – thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
National Police Chiefs\u2019 Council lead for pay and conditions, Chief Constable Matt Jukes, said: \u201cThe commitment of our officers to keeping our communities safe every day, not least during the recent challenging period, rightly deserves recognising.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven our difficult financial times, it is very welcome news the government has accepted the Pay Remuneration Review Body\u2019s recommendation for an increase in police pay above the rate of inflation.<\/p>\n
\u201cChief Constables welcome the endorsement of our proposals on targeted variable pay and sergeants\u2019 pay. Taken together this will contribute to ensuring specific roles in the service are filled and to supporting the ongoing recruitment of officers.\u201d<\/p>\n