Police pay freeze 'slap in the face' to officers says West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner - The Solihull Observer

Police pay freeze 'slap in the face' to officers says West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

Solihull Editorial 27th Jul, 2021   0

GOVERNMENT plans to freeze police pay is ‘a slap in the face’ says West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced officers earning over £24,000 would face a pay freeze to ensure fairness between public and private sector wage growth, with the latter having been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the announcement Ms Patel has faced a number of criticisms from the public and those in the police.

Mr Foster said: “Our police officers and staff have worked tirelessly through the pandemic, keeping people safe.




“That is why the government’s proposed pay freeze is, frankly, a slap in the face. As the cost of living rises, not giving officers a small increase in pay amounts to a pay cut.

“I fully support all members of the police team receiving a pay rise of at least three per cent, funded by central government.


“The Police Federation has declared it no longer has confidence in the Home Secretary.

“That is because of the constant lack of loyalty shown by Government to rank and file officers and staff.

“I hope it will quickly see sense and ensure that the police receive the increase in pay that they are entitled to.”

The chair of the Police Federation for England and Wales, John Apter, said: “We often hear the Home Secretary praise police officers but our members are so angry with this Government.

“They have been on the frontline of this pandemic for 18 months and will now see other public services given pay increases while they receive nothing.

“At the beginning of this pandemic they endured PPE shortages and were not even prioritised for the vaccination.

“They continue to be politicised and this pay announcement is the final straw.

“As the organisation that represents more than 130,000 police officers I can say quite categorically – we have no confidence in the current Home Secretary.”

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