POLICE officers in South Yorkshire are \u201cstruggling to make ends meet\u201d – with new starters taking home the same amount in their pay packet as Bobbies 15 years ago.<\/p>\n
Steve Kent, Chairman of the force\u2019s Federation, hit out at the Government for not sticking to the Police Remuneration Review Body\u2019s recommendations, as preparations for a Judicial Review against the Home Secretary were launched over pay.<\/p>\n
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It is likely to be heard in the summer.<\/p>\n
Officers\u2019 pay was increased by just \u00a32.50 a week in July last year. The Police Federation of England and Wales recommended a 3.4% increase so that officers \u201ccould be paid fairly for the dangerous job they do after years of austerity\u201d. The Police Remuneration Review Body recommended a total of 3%.<\/p>\n
Steve said: \u201cThe squeeze is really biting with officers now and we really do need to see some fair pay to enable them to have the ability to make ends meet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe police pay review board was actually created by this Government to listen to both sides of the argument and to come up with a fair pay award for police annually. Last year the police federation wanted 3.4%. The pay review board quite fairly said, \u2018No, it should be at 3%\u2019. Then the government decided on 2%. We had a 1% bonus the year before which was insulting for police officers across the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also important to say that they\u2019ve ignored, for the second year, the pay review board\u2019s recommendation and now we are in a situation where officers are really struggling with times of austerity – this works out as an average on \u00a32.50 a week.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PFEW took the decision in October to formally lodge legal proceedings and last week the application was accepted, meaning a hearing is likely to be held in the summer. The move will mark a \u201cline in the sand\u201d, Steve said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Federation are not going to tolerate being let down by the Government anymore. We\u2019d like to see that the 3% is honoured and then that sets out the parameters of where we are for future negotiating boards. Essentially I want the Government to abide by the review board that they themselves set up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve added that this was good news for members: \u201cThe government needs to know that we\u2019re not happy about it and that we expect fairness and we expect the review board\u2019s findings to be honoured.\u201d<\/p>\n