Police officers will continue struggling to make ends meet without a \u201cdrastic improvement\u201d in pay, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.<\/p>\n
Chair Steve Kent revealed only recently the force\u2019s foodbank remained \u201cvery needed and sought after\u201d due to the strain felt by police.<\/p>\n
He warned officers young and old were feeling the squeeze due to a combination of the ongoing cost of living crisis, poor wages and unsatisfactory pay awards.<\/p>\n
Steve said: \u201cI\u2019m not surprised people are struggling. Unlike other professions, in the vast majority of cases police officers can\u2019t get a second job.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot that they should need one, but it\u2019s not even an option for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are really struggling, especially with interest rates as they are. Unless there\u2019s drastic improvement in police pay, I can\u2019t see this improving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve\u2019s comments follow a report from Metfriendly, the UK police family finance specialists, revealing a potential crisis in officer retention.<\/p>\n
A total of 55% of officers said financial stress was severely affecting their wellbeing, while just 34% remained positive about the job after between one and five years\u2019 service.<\/p>\n
Steve said: \u201cWe need common sense positions from Government on police officers who can\u2019t take annual leave during summer holidays, A) because of the cost, and B) because they can\u2019t get leave.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just need there to be a less hostile environment towards ourselves and other public sector workers, because it seems that we are the ones who are getting squeezed by everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all very well saying we\u2019ve got gold-plated pensions, but those pensions are there for a reason in terms of the life expectancy of our officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat also puts strain on them, because I don\u2019t think people realise the enormous cost pensions have on our officers in their monthly pay packet.\u201d<\/p>\n