‘Our members deserve better’ – police pay row
A federation which represents Sussex Police officers is involved in a pay row with the UK Government.
Home Secretary James Cleverly sent a letter to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB), reminding the group that, last year, it was recommended ‘historically high pay awards’ and that, this year, it was vital it consider the ‘government’s affordability position’.
Raff Cioffi, chairman of the Sussex Police Federation,
said this showed why the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) withdrew from the PRRB process in 2021.
At the time, the PFEW criticised the lack of independence the PRRB process was afforded by the government, which was able to accept or reject its findings ‘with no recourse’.
Mr Cioffi said: “What a shameful comment from the Home Secretary to suggest that last year’s pay rise needs to be considered for this year’s review.
“This simply implies that the PRRB should disregard the evidence when it comes to
pay, and solely concentrate on Government savings.
“This is why PFEW has removed itself from the PRRB. It is not an independent process and currently it can be disregarded and ignored when it reaches its conclusion.
“Our members deserve better.”
The Home Office issued a statement to this newspaper in response. A spokesperson said: “In setting the Police Remuneration Review Body’s remit, the government is entitled to set out the economic conditions that should inform its recommendations.
“Following the award of a consolidated increase of seven per cent to all ranks in 2023, we strongly encourage the Police Federation to engage with the Pay Review Body process to ensure its members’ views are represented.”
The Home Office said it was providing additional government grant funding to police forces of £330million in 2023/24 and £515million in 2024/25 to ‘support the costs of the 2023/24 pay award’.
The Home Secretary’s remit letter to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB), published on December 20, asked the group to ‘make recommendations’ for the 2024/25 pay award.