Police pay rise only ‘worth price of a Big Mac per shift'
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, announced the 4.2 per cent rise, which is marginally above the current inflation rate of 4.1 per cent, on Friday.
It will increase the starting salary of a police constable by £1,256 to £31,163 a year, raise an established constable's annual pay package up to £50,257 and chief superintendent's wages up to £98,500 a year.
The rise, recommended by an independent review body and accepted by the Government, is above the 2.8 per cent proposed by ministers in December, for which police forces budgeted.
However, police union bosses said the pay award 'barely treads water', with inflation currently at 4.1 per cent, although it welcomed the Government's decision to reject police chief constables' calls for a pay rise of just 3.8 per cent.
However, Brian Booth, the deputy national chairman of the Police Federation, said: 'After more than a decade of real terms pay cuts, this award does little to reverse the long-term decline in officers' living standards or address the crisis policing faces.
'A pay rise worth the price of a Big Mac per shift won't stop record levels of resignations, record mental health absences, or the record number of assaults on officers.'
'Significant cost for council taxpayers'
Matthew Barber, the police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley, said it was at the higher end of the public sector awards, outside the health sector, which was a welcome increase for officers who did one of the most dangerous jobs in public service.
However, it would still mean a 'significant' extra cost for council taxpayers because it was not being fully funded by the Government despite an extra £120m from the Home Office to cover the shortfall between 2.8 per cent for which forces had budgeted and actual 4.2 per cent increase.
Ms Cooper said: 'Our brave police officers work day and night, often making enormous sacrifices, to keep us safe. This government is proud to back them in doing so and today's pay award is a clear signal of our gratitude, and our determination, to ensure they are properly rewarded for their service.
'Policing is the bedrock of a secure Britain and our Plan for Change. We are committed to investing in the frontline and supporting officers who work every day to tackle crime, keep our streets safe and protect our communities.'
In addition to the headline pay rise, the Government is also increasing on-call, away from home, and hardship allowances by £10. London weighting will be boosted by 4.2 per cent, reflecting the demands placed on officers in the capital.
The Home Office said the pay rise underscored Ms Cooper's commitment to investing in the frontline and supporting officers, and delivering the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
Measures in the guarantee include a 13,000 uplift in neighbourhood police officers by the end of the Parliament, a named, contactable officers for every neighbourhood, police patrols in busy areas at peak times, such as town centres and new career pathways.
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Whatever the verdict however, it seems unlikely that the combat that has dogged this family will cease any time soon.
