(The Secretary of State for the
Home Department): The Government has carefully
considered the PRRB recommendations for police pay 2018-19. These
recommendations are not being accepted in full.
The Government is announcing today that the 2018-19 pay award for
the police which will award police officers an increase of 2%
consolidated from 1 September 2018. This also includes the
recommended 2% increase in London Weighting and 2% increase in
Dog Handlers’ Allowance.
Officers who have not reached the top of their pay band will also
receive incremental progression pay worth at least 2%, depending
on satisfactory performance.
The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) issued early
recommendations on police apprentice pay ahead of their main
report. The Government is accepting PRRB recommendations on this
issue, in that forces should appoint apprentice constables on a
starting salary of between £18,000 and pay point 1, with
understandings that:
a) individual forces are able to choose to use a starting salary
between £18,000 and pay point 1;
b) the pay expectations of apprentices will not be undermined by
later changes to the arrangements; and
c) the NPCC will develop further proposals for apprentice pay and
career progression beyond the first year.
The Government is committed to world class public services and
ensuring that public sector workers are fairly paid for the
vitally important work that they do. It is thanks to our balanced
approach to public finances – getting debt falling as a share of
our economy, while investing in our vital services and keeping
taxes low. We ended the 1% average pay policy in September 2017,
because we recognised more flexibility is now required to deliver
world class public services including in return for improvements
to public sector productivity.
We value the role of the independent Pay Review Bodies and thank
them for their work in considering pay awards. In reaching a
final position for 2018/19 public sector pay awards, we have
balanced a need to recognise the value and dedication of our
hard-working public servants whilst ensuring that our public
services remain affordable in the long term, to contribute to our
objective of reducing public sector debt. We have also sought to
ensure that pay awards are fair and consistent across public
sector workforces, reflect existing pay and benefit packages, in
addition to recruitment and retention levels.
It is vital that we consider all pay awards in light of wider
pressures on public spending. Public sector pay needs to be fair
both for public sector workers and the taxpayer. Around a quarter
of all public spending is spent on pay and we need to ensure that
our public services remain affordable for the future.
It is also vital that our world class public services continue
modernising to meet rising demand for the incredible services
they provide, which improve our lives and keep us safe.
The Police Remuneration Review Body Report has been laid before
Parliament and copies are available in the Vote Office and
on GOV.UK
