In the face of the 1% public sector pay limit set by the Treasury, the Police Federation is asking for a pay increase of 2.8% for all police officers.
In its second submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB), a joint submission with the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales, the Police Federation has asked for an annual uplift in line with the average private sector increase.
Andy Fittes, General Secretary, who leads on pay issues for the Police Federation, says:
“Since the demise of the Police Negotiating Board in 2014, we no longer negotiate over pay and allowances. Instead, we have to submit evidence to the review body, who are instructed by the Home Office to focus on certain issues – including recognition of the public sector pay limit of an average 1% annual increase.
“We know from the survey of members that morale is rock bottom. Coupled with the increased workloads officers have and the fact that the economy is improving, we have no hesitation in providing evidence that calls for an increase of 2.8%.”
The PRRB also asked submissions to consider the targeting of pay.
Andy Fittes adds: “We are not against change to the pay system and recognise it needs to change as the service changes. However, there is currently no evidenced and defensible system for revising the pay system overall. In the absence of that, we cannot support tinkering around the edges that could be to the detriment of some officers.
In its submission, the Police Federation was also asked to make recommendations regarding London and South East Allowances; uplift in line with basic pay is recommended.
With regards to other allowances, the submission makes clear the benefit of having nationally agreed rates, in order to facilitate mutual aid and ensure consistent service delivery across all forces.
All organisations who have submitted evidence are required to publish them on their websites and then there is a short period of time to review and critique. Then parties are called to give oral evidence in March before the PRRB considers its decision. It should make recommendations to the Home Secretary by the summer in order that any uplift to pay and allowances may be effective from September 2016.
The Police Federation’s submission to the PRRB and additional information can be accessed below:
PFEW and PSAEW PRRB Final Submission
Home Office Remit Letter November 2015
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