Page 6 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2020_Neat

Annual award announced

Pay increase is

a step in the

right direction,

says Fed chair

2.5 per cent pay award is a step in evident during the pandemic when they increase - anything lower would have been
the right direction in terms of have been on the front-line maintaining completely unacceptable.”
A getting police officer pay back to public services. The pay rise will mean a constable will
where it needs to be after years of below- “Over the last decade, they have seen receive an extra £1,100, taking into account
inflation salary increases, says the chair of their pay reduced by 18 per cent in real salary and allowances, of pensionable pay a
West Midlands Police Federation. terms so I am pleased that we are starting year from 1 September this year.
Jon Nott says that given the current to see signs that the Government wants to The Government also announced:
crisis the country faces due to the pandemic put this right. However, it seems that this l London Weighting and the dog handlers’
there were positives in the Government increase has to be funded from existing allowance would increase by 2.5 per
announcement on pay which will see officers police budgets so I hope we are not going cent too
across the ranks receiving a 2.5 per cent to see cuts in other areas so that forces can l The lowest point on the sergeants’ pay
increase in their wages from 1 September afford the increased wages bill.” scale would be removed
2020. Jon’s views were in line with those of l The maximum rate of London Allowance
“The Home Office has accepted in full the the national Federation chair, John Apter, would increase by £1,000 to £5,338 a
recommendations of the Police who said: “With the economic vulnerability year for officers appointed on or after 1
Remuneration Review Body, which advises we face as a country, many colleagues will September 1994 and not receiving
the Government on officer pay. This has not be relieved to receive a 2.5 per cent pay replacement allowance.
course, this was before the pandemic. When “ In our joint submission to the review body
always been the case so this is to be
welcomed,” says Jon.
“In our joint submission to the review

with the Police Superintendents’
body with the Police Superintendents’
Association in February this year, we had
Association in February this year, we had
called for a five per cent increase but, of
you consider the financial pressures we are called for a five per cent increase but, of
now facing as a country, we have to take this course, this was before the pandemic.
pay award as a step in the right direction.
“However, as a Federation, we will When you consider the financial pressures
continue to fight for more substantial
increases in pay in the future when the we are now facing as a country, we have to
economy allows due to the unique role
police officers play in society. take this pay award as a step in the right
“For far too long, their pay has not
reflected the real dangers they face, day in, direction. “
day out as they serve and protect their
communities and this has been clearly

06 federation August/September 2020 www.polfed.org/westmids