Police Federation begins legal action over ‘derisory’ two percent pay award
Written by News on 04/10/2018
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is to begin legal action over the government’s failure to implement a recommended pay rise for officers.
The body that represents 120,000 rank-and-file police has asked lawyers to start judicial review proceedings against Home Secretary Sajid Javid.
It follows the decision by the government to award a two percent pay rise from 1 September 2018, instead of the three percent suggested by the independent Police Remuneration Review Body.
At the time Mr Javid described the increase as the highest consolidated pay award since 2010, but it was later reported that he had in fact written to Downing Street saying he was “strongly in favour” of following the review body’s recommendation and describing the blocking of the higher award as the “wrong decision”.
And at last month’s Police Superintendents’ Association annual conference Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick called the decision not to award the full three percent as a “punch on the nose”.
Confirming the start of legal proceedings PFEW chairman John Apter said: “The Home Office has cheated police officers out of the pay increase they should receive; this year officers being awarded a derisory two percent increase.
“In response to this betrayal and based on legal advice, PFEW has instructed solicitors to start judicial review proceedings against the Home Secretary on the basis that he has stated that the pay decision was a Government decision and not his decision alone.
“Police officers must be treated fairly and have confidence that any independent pay recommendations will be accepted in full by the Home Secretary.
“I know the deep sense of anger felt by many of our members about the way they have been treated.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We are grateful to all police officers for the incredible job they do – and will continue to ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively.
“The police pay award for 2018/19 represents the highest consolidated pay award since 2010.
“And the number of people joining police forces is at a 10 year high which demonstrates policing is still a desirable and sought-after career.”
(c) Sky News 2018: Police Federation begins legal action over ‘derisory’ two percent pay award
