NEWS
2.5 per cent pay uplift for officers is ‘step in the right direction’ says Fed
In July, the Home Ofce announced it had ‘accepted in full’ the recommendations of the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) – the independent body which advises the Government on ofcer pay. It means police ofcers
received a 2.5 per cent uplift in their pay packets from 1 September. The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has called the move a “step in the right direction”. PFEW National Chair John
Apter said: “In the current financial climate with so much uncertainty, the Government’s acceptance of the PRRB recommendations will come as a relief. While 2.5 per cent is less than we asked for, it is welcome against a backdrop of financial pressures on the economy. Do police ofcers deserve more? Absolutely, and the Government must go further to pay ofcers fairly for the unique and dangerous job they do.” The pay rise equates to around
an extra £1,100 of pensionable salary
a year for a constable (taking into account salary plus allowances). As well as the pay rise, which
is applicable across all ranks, the Government announced: • London Weighting and the Dog Handlers’ Allowance to increase by 2.5 per cent
• Removal of the lowest point on the sergeants’ pay scale
• The maximum rate of London Allowance to increase by £1,000 to £5,338 a year for ofcers appointed on or after 1 September 1994 and not receiving Replacement Allowance. Mr Apter continued: “It is
positive to see the Government abiding by proper process and accepting all the recommendations of the PRRB. This has not always been the case. We will continue to fight to get our members the pay they deserve following a real-terms cut of 18 per cent during the last decade, the efects of which have taken their toll.”
VIEW FROM THE CHAIR
During the summer months we traditionally find the media and hordes of online commentators scrambling for stories. But, while I assumed the continuing fight against Covid-19 and the A-level confusion might be enough to occupy their time, that does not appear to have been the case. Regrettably, we have seen more and more
carefully selected snippets of video of interactions with the police making their way from social media on to mainstream broadcast media. I say carefully selected, as many of these clips are deliberately designed to give one side of the story. Not only is this grossly unfair on the officers
involved, it is also totally irresponsible and risks creating social tension. That is why I have raised this with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing, asking for their support to release officers’ body-worn video wherever possible to show exactly what has happened and why. I also raised this issue directly with the Home
Secretary in the inaugural ‘The Chair Asks….’ article in Police magazine - a first in its 52-year history. The Home Secretary shared her concern that video clips posted on social media can be misleading, unhelpful and not tell the full story (Pages 18-21) ‘The Chair Asks….’ is a new regular column in
which I will interview police leaders and politicians to ensure the issues that matter to you are put directly to them. I won’t shy away from asking tough questions on your behalf, and if there is a prominent individual you’d like me to interview let me know by emailing:
editor@polfed.org
John Apter National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales
DID YOU KNOW? If you are required to move home due to the exigencies of duty, you are entitled to be reimbursed the cost of your move, plus estate agent fees, stamp duty and some mortgage expenses. For more on your rights see –
www.polfed.org
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