South Yorkshire Police Federation chairman welcomes \u2018mildly\u2019 the news of the 2.5% pay rise that has been announced for police officers.<\/p>\n
The Home Office announced it will accept in full the recommendations of the Police Pay and Remuneration Body (PRRB) which is the independent body which advises the Government on what police officers should be paid.<\/p>\n
It is the first time in three years that this has happened, with the Government previously attracting criticism for ignoring the PRRB\u2019s recommendations regarding pay increases.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the biggest annual pay award officers have received for some time. However it does little to redress the crippling pay cuts officers have endured for years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am hopeful that this improvement even though not enough in my views, signifies the end once and for all to the horrendous pay squeeze officers have suffered in recent times.<\/p>\n
Reacting to the news PFEW National Chair John Apter said: \u201cPolice officers have suffered nine years of pay freezes and pay caps. So while this pay award represents the highest received since 2010 it is not what we and the Police Superintendents\u2019 Association jointly asked for – however it is better than the derisory rise our members were given last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it is positive to see the Government abiding by proper process and accepting all the recommendations of the PRRB which it has failed to do for the past two years. But this must be just the start of getting police officers pay back to the level it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pay rise \u2013 which will come into effect on 1 September 2019 \u2013 equates to around an extra \u00a31,000* of pensionable salary a year for a constable.<\/p>\n
Mr Apter continued: \u201cThis rise does little to redress the 18% real term pay cut our members have experienced over the past nine years, and the Government must go further.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore the next pay award, the Chancellor will announce the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review \u2013 and that must include substantial, centrally-funded investment to ensure the service is fully and properly resourced \u2013 encompassing a significant, real-term rise in officer pay.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have heard a lot of promises about the future of policing made by the two candidates vying to become Prime Minister \u2013 but whoever takes over must ensure that they commit the necessary funding to make these promises a reality, and to ensure the public gets the police service it needs and deserves,\u201d Mr Apter said.<\/p>\n
As well as the pay rise, which is applicable across all ranks, the Government announced:<\/p>\n
\u00a0–<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>An increase in the on-call allowance from \u00a315 to \u00a320 per 24-hour period for all Federated ranks,<\/span><\/p>\n –<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>A 2.5% uplift in the Dog Handlers\u2019 allowance,<\/span><\/p>\n –<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>A 2.5% uplift in London weighting, and<\/span><\/p>\n – No change for apprentice and degree holder progression pay, which means those joining the service will continue to receive the current incremental pay rises through their probationary period.<\/p>\n \u00a0* This takes into account salary plus allowances.<\/p>\n