FINANCIAL ADVICE NEWS IN BRIEF
JOHN APTER WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION
National Chair John Apter has announced that he will not be standing for re-election in the upcoming elections. Making the announcement in
October, he talked of his pride in having led the organisation. He said” “This role is a privilege to hold and it truly is an honour to do what I do. However, I feel after a pretty eventful three and a half years for the Police Federation and for policing in general, and with almost 30 years’ service, it’s time for me to move on. “I’ve been a Fed rep for as long
as I can remember; I love what the Federation and our reps do and I couldn’t be more proud of the small part I have played. A lot has happened since I became National Chair, both professionally and personally; it’s been relentless. In all that time, all I have ever done is my best, and I hope that in some small way I have helped make a positive difference. “I will continue to do my very best
until the new National Chair takes up the position in April 2022 and I wish them well in this exciting and unique role. It’s truly something special.”
WORLD MENOPAUSE DAY Forces have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for officers who are struggling with menopausal symptoms, the Federation has pointed out. On World Menopause Day (18
October), all forces were sent updated guidelines to remind them they have a legal obligation to make appropriate changes which will help officers continue to work while facing symptoms which can be debilitating. The menopause itself is not covered by the Equality Act 2010 but the health conditions that arise from it, or are made worse by it, may be. Eight out of ten officers going
through the menopause have said sleep disturbances were having a detrimental effect on their career, so a reasonable adjustment could be allowing an officer to do two extra late shifts instead of a night duty during a period of insomnia. A Federation survey also found 76
per cent of officers had found symptoms either moderately or extremely problematic at work with nearly half considering quitting the force as a result.
40 I POLICE I DECEMBER 2021
OFFICERS ARE URGED TO SEEK ADVICE IF THEY ARE IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
Seek out your Fed rep if you are worried about debt
With some colleagues seeking payday loans amid greater strain on finances, the Federation can signpost members with money worries towards the support they need. At this time of year, there’s one
inevitable issue many of us must face when we finally find the courage to examine our bank balances. Debt is a word that still carries a stigma, and for some members it’s an unspoken issue which can leave some in the depths of despair and even with mental health issues. For those in the service, there’s also the added pressure that due to current Police Regulations debt can affect careers and livelihoods. Money worries, of course, are not
confined only to those in uniform, but due to the Government’s zero per cent pay award, spiralling inflation and the impact of years of austerity, there’s been growing evidence of a huge squeeze on the pockets of all those within policing. While it’s hard to quantify the scale of the personal debt problem, there is growing evidence some colleagues are seeking high interest payday loans – the short-term loans for small amounts of money readily available from high street shops and internet sites. The Federation’s influential Pay and
Morale Survey found 73 per cent of members who responded said pay and benefits had a negative effect on their morale. Around a third of respondents were worried about the state of their personal finances, either every day or almost every day (37 per cent), Nick Mosey of the Police Federation of England and Wales’ Wellbeing Sub- Committee advises members to disclose any significant debts to their force, and to speak to a Fed rep if unsure of how to go about this. “The financial burden comes into focus particularly at this time of year, and many officers really fear being in debt because of how this might affect their career. But if someone is at their wit’s end because of high levels of debt, our advice
is to disclose this to their force. So long as you confidentially share the information and get support to work out a solution, there’s no reason why this should harm a career,” Nick explained. “When it comes to finance, there
often seems to be a real reticence to talk about issues. However, it’s essential that if you are struggling, please don’t suffer in silence. Support is there for you – and your Fed rep can put you in touch with organisations that can help. We won’t judge you and can signpost you to several options so you can get the support you need. “While the Federation cannot offer personal financial advice, it can put you in touch with a number of professional companies and organisations offering support tailored to police officers.” According to Citizens Advice (CA),
payday loans are an expensive way of helping people over temporary problems and “are not suitable for longer-term difficulties”. CA advises that a loan from a credit union is more affordable, and also to check if there’s a credit union in your area. Alternatively, your bank may be able to agree an overdraft. There are other organisations you
can turn to if worried about finances, including some specifically aimed at police officers:
■ Payplan: 0800 280 2816
www.payplan.com
■ Police Mutual:
www.policemutual.co.uk
■ Debt Support Trust: 0800 085 0226
www.debtsupporttrust.org.uk
■ The Money Advice Service: 0800 138 7777
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
■ No1 Copperpot: 0161 741 3160
www.no1copperpot.com/financial- wellbeing/managing-debt
■ Police Credit Union: 0121 700 1220
www.policecu.co.uk
■ Gamcare: 0808 8020 133
www.gamcare.org.uk
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