Page 6 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2018flip_Neat

Sajid Javid accused of hollow words of support for officers

Fed secretary

hits out over

claims of two per

cent pay rise

he Home Secretary’s claims to value “But then we also find ourselves
police officers when awarding them a questioning whether the new Home
Tpay rise that amounts to only one per Secretary, Sajid Javid, is really standing
cent are just hollow words, according to with us and gets the pressures we are
West Midlands Police Federation secretary under. Only two weeks before making this
Steve Grange. announcement, he was at the bravery
Sajid Javid announced a two per cent pay awards to meet officers who had put their
rise for all officers that will come into effect lives on the line in serving our communities.
in September. He says he is supporting us and values us
“Even if this was a two per cent pay rise but sadly they just feel like hollow words.”
as he claims it would be an insult to police In deciding the award which will apply
officers. But in reality this is a one per cent to officers of all ranks, the Government says
pay rise as the Government is giving two per it has strived to strike a balance between
cent with one hand – a consolidated rise - overall affordability to forces and fairness
and then taking away one per cent with the to the taxpayer, recognising the importance
other - the removal of the bonus it gave last of continuing to reduce debt as a share of
year,” Steve explains. the economy while investing in vital public
“It may have been sometime since Mr services.
Javid worked in the Treasury but when I The Home Secretary said: “Our police
went to school two minus one was one.” Steve Grange, secretary of West Midlands officers do an incredible job in the face of
Steve has also hit out at the Police Federation. complex crime and rising demand, and I’m
Government for once again ignoring grateful for their continued dedication to
the recommendations of the Police smack in the face from a Government which keeping us safe. This award represents the
Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) which while claiming to support officers just seems highest consolidated pay award since 2010.
had proposed a three per cent pay uplift, to be adding to the difficulties they are “I’ll continue to fight on behalf of police
just below the 3.4 per cent increase the facing. to ensure they have the resources they need
Police Federation of England and Wales had “At the Police Federation conference in to do their jobs effectively.”
sought. Birmingham in May, police minister Nick The award comes after the Government
“Police officers will, of course, be Hurd said he would argue on our behalf removed a one per cent cap on increases to
disappointed with this pay rise, given that and call on the Government to implement public sector pay in 2017.
to some officers this will mean that they the PRRB recommendations in full unless The PRRB had recommended that the one
receive as little as £2.50 a week extra,” he they were ‘bonkers’. Since I don’t consider a per cent non-consolidated award received in
says, “At a time when they are under huge three per cent increase bonkers, we can only 2017-18 be consolidated, and that a further
pressure due to increased demand and assume that he either didn’t argue for us or, two per cent consolidated award be given to
“ ‘derisory’ with national vice-chair Ché
if he did, he didn’t have any success.
all police officers.
reduced resources, this will feel like another
The Federation has called the pay rise
It may have been sometime since Mr
Donald claiming it was an insult to officers.
Javid worked in the Treasury but when I

It also condemned the announcement in
the pay award of a starting salary of as little
went to school two minus one was one.
as £18,000 a year for new police apprentices.
06 federation August/September 2018 www.polfed.org/westmids

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