Police fury at May ‘block on pay rise’
RANK-AND-FILE police officers’ leaders yesterday criticised Theresa May, claiming she blocked a three per cent pay rise for their members.
In leaked private correspondence, Home Secretary Sajid Javid is said to have argued in vain for a deal in line with a review body’s recommendation which would “consolidate” a one-off one per cent bonus for 2017-18 into future pay.
The result would have been an effective three per cent rise for all ranks from September.
But Mr Javid, who moved into the Prime Minister’s former job in April, was overruled by her and Chancellor Philip Hammond who insisted on capping increases at two per cent.
The revelation has infuriated the Police Federation, in effect the union for rank-and-file officers. Mrs May has heaped praise on the courage of police who dealt with this week’s alleged terror attack by car in Westminster.
But Federation chairman John Apter argued that kind words were no substitute for more cash.
He said: “What disappoints me is that in times of crisis the Government are first to celebrate how brilliant our police officers are.
“But then when it comes to important issues around remuneration, the lack of resilience and the increased demand our colleagues are facing, those who have the power to do something about the crisis in policing simply turn a blind eye. If the threat from terrorism isn’t enough for the Government to wake up and invest adequately in our police service, than I don’t know what is.
“Our officers are out there risking their lives day in day out to protect the public and the very least they deserve is to be supported for the extremely dangerous and demanding job they do.
“I’m afraid a ‘thank you’ doesn’t quite cut it.”
Mrs May as home secretary clashed with the Federation in 2014 when she spoke out at its annual conference to condemn police corruption and abuse of power, alleging its members had on occasion displayed “contempt” for the public.
Mr Apter continued yesterday: “We have heard that the Home Secretary urged the Prime Minister to honour the independent pay body recommendation. This was ignored.
“It is no wonder many police officers feel the contempt the Prime Minister has for policing and for those who deliver it is very personal.”
Mr Javid, considered a possible successor to the Prime Minister, defended the two per cent pay rise figure in public when it was announced.
Wrong
But the private leaked letter said he was “strongly in favour” of the three per cent proposal, adding of its rejection that “he continues to be of the view that this is the wrong decision”.
The two per cent rise will take average pay for a police constable to over £38,600 a year.
A Downing Street source yesterday insisted that, despite the pay row, “the Prime Minister has respect and admiration for all the work officers do – from the people who look after her in Number 10 to the work that everyone does on the front line”.