NEWS
PAY CAMPAIGN UPDATE
More than 20 years of neglect when it comes to pay uplift is contributing to a crisis in morale, and an exodus of around 8,000 frontline officers in the past year alone. By Paul Hurst
The figures on police pay from the Social Market Foundation (SMF) show a 17 per cent shortfall in real terms pay since 2000. It highlights that compounded poor pay rises are likely a result of the inability to strike. The SMF findings are corroborated by accounts from PFEW members and branches across England and Wales. Some officers are struggling with bills, heating and food costs, with many relying on food banks.
Even the Government’s data confirms that police pay has risen at barely half the rate of an average UK employee since 2000. Police officers do not look for praise from the Government, but they want the Government to be sensitive about their contributions to their communities and sacrifices made to protect the public. In February 2023, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) told the Government-appointed and controlled Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) that it was time police
06 | POLICE | APRIL 2023
officers were compensated for the enormous real-terms pay loss suffered in the past decade. In their submissions to the PRRB, the NPCC said the 17 per cent fall “resulted in the erosion of the pay premium, which is designed to compensate officers for the unique nature
“It is time police officers were of their work.”
The PSA called for “urgent action from the Government to prevent a further decline in workforce morale, the further growth of negative workplace cultures, and the potential loss of years of experience from the service.” These issues have been highlighted in the media by PFEW Chair Steve Hartshorn. In a series of radio and television interviews, Steve has called for change. This included a week-long feature on TalkTV’s afternoon
compensated for the enormous real terms pay loss suffered in the past decade”
programme with Ian Collins, which allowed a number of key topics to be addressed, with pay and morale forming an important part of the discussion. Steve said: “You don’t need me to tell you that these are difficult times for police officers and the police service as a whole. I think it’s really important that these issues are put out there for discussion, not just across the desks of the politicians and decision-makers, but in the homes of the public, who we serve. That’s why we’ve
spent a lot of time talking with the media over the past few weeks.” The National Council is helping everyone speak with one voice on these issues, while taking into account the local issues that are referenced through PFEW branches. At the National Council meeting in March, attendees spoke about what’s needed at a local level. These discussions will feed into the next- steps framework, which will be fed back to the Home Office.
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