‘Police pension changes could cost 300 jobs’
CHIEF CRITICISES GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS
PROPOSED changes to the police pension scheme could end up costing Humberside Police more than 300 full-time officers – the equivalent to the number of new officers the force has employed this year.
Chief Constable Lee Freeman slammed the new government proposals where police forces have been asked to contribute more to their employee pension schemes.
Mr Freeman angrily responded to the proposals and made his views known on his Twitter account.
He said: “If these changes remain unfunded, the impact in Humberside for us and our communities is the equivalent of losing the additional officers we have successfully recruited in the past 18 months.”
Since 2010 the Government has cut police funding by 19 per cent. Police in England and Wales have now been told that a £420m pensions shortfall must be met from their already reduced budgets.
After recalculating officers’ pension liabilities, the Treasury decided forces needed to contribute more. Forces are now coming to terms with the impact of the further budget squeeze and anger is mounting.
Humberside police and crime commissioner Keith Hunter is now writing to MPS calling for their support against the proposed changes. He also expressed his anger on Twitter.
Mr Hunter said: “After working for two years to deliver turnaround in officer numbers in Humberside Police, the Government drops this on us. Further bug cuts coming. Every MP must make their views known. I will write to local MPS.”
Both Mr Freeman and Mr Hunter’s comments have been echoed by police officers from the Humberside force.
The wildlife and rural crime team tweeted: “Fingers crossed all the hard work and dedication of the chief constable, the Humberside police and crime commissioner and all the staff at Humberside Police won’t be undone.
“We are only starting to get back on track and this is not good news.”
The Home Office says it is working closely with forces to understand the impact changes will have and say they are in discussion with police leaders about “mitigating the impact on the front line”.
A Home Office spokesman said: “The Government is committed to continuing to ensure that the police have the resources they need to do their vital work and the home secretary has been clear that he will prioritise police funding at the next spending review.”