The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, has said that she is pleased to see hard-working police officers recognised with a pay rise which was announced earlier this week.
However, Zoe Wakefield, Chair of Hampshire Police Federation, said she was “extremely disappointed, but not surprised by this pay award announcement”.
What was announced
The Home Office revealed that from September, police officers of all ranks in England and Wales will receive an extra £1,900.
The rise equates to an 8.8 per cent increase for the lowest paid officers – and is equivalent to a 5 per cent overall pay award when all ranks and pay scales are taken into account.
Wakefield: Police officers have faced pay cuts every year for the last decade
Zoe Wakefield went on to say,
“This is not a pay rise. Police officers have faced pay cuts every year for the last decade and this is just it happening again. Police officers are struggling to put food on the table and fuel in their cars. The Government do not care and do not recognise the sacrifices police officers make every day in order to keep the public safe.
“For many of our members this equates to a 3-4 per cent increase which will barely be noticed amongst the increases in the living costs.
“It is infuriating that once again London Weighting has been increased but the South East Allowance has been ignored. The cost of living in the South East means many of our younger in service officers cannot afford to rent and have no chance of buying a property.”
Jones: Rewarding officers on lower end of scale is step in right direction
The Commissioner said the rise was overdue, but welcome, and will benefit those on lower ends of the police officer pay scale.
She said,
“I am pleased the Government has accepted the pay recommendations in full, however I would like to see more recognition of the work police officers do.
“Officers work tirelessly, often in very difficult circumstances, to keep communities safe, and this pay award is the least they deserve for the amazing job they do.
“Police officers, and police staff, have been working in a particularly tough environment the last few years. They have been on the frontline dealing with the pandemic and have gone above and beyond to police our country in exceptional circumstances.
“Rewarding officers on the lower end of the scale is a step in the right direction, and I hope the increase will go some way towards easing the pressures of the rise in the cost of living.
“However, I would also like to hear what plans the Government has to ensure police staff are also recognised for their equally important roles.”
The Home Office said it has accepted the recommendations of the Police Remuneration Review Body in full, saying it reflects “the vital role police officers have on the frontline making our streets safer”.
Other changes
The Government also announced it has raised the starting salary for officers joining on the Degree Apprentice programme to £23,556 – also from 1st September.
The Dog Handlers’ Allowance will also be increased by 5 per cent.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said,
“It is right that we recognise the extraordinary work of our officers who day in, day out, work tirelessly to keep our streets, communities and country safe.”
In its recommendation to the Government, the PRRB noted concerns about the cost of living on junior ranks.
The Home Office has said the Government will be part funding the pay rise and will be supporting forces with an additional £350 million over the next three years to help cover the associated costs of the pay award, described as supporting a strong and sustained investment to allow policing to deliver.
Commissioner Jones, concluded,
“We need to look at the detail closely, specifically what this means for future plans for the Hampshire Constabulary budget.”
