Police officers will be awarded a pay rise of 2% in
2018-19. This will mean that average pay for a police
constable will now be more than £38,600 per year.
The increase will consist of:
- a 2% pay increase for all police officer ranks
- a 2% increase to the London weighting payment
- a 2% increase to the dog handlers’ allowance
In deciding the award, the government has strived to strike
a balance between overall affordability to forces and
fairness to the taxpayer, recognising the importance of
continuing to reduce debt as a share of the economy whilst
investing in vital public services.
Home Secretary said:
Our police officers do an incredible job in the face of
complex crime and rising demand, and I’m grateful for
their continued dedication to keeping us safe. This award
represents the highest consolidated pay award since 2010.
I’ll continue to fight on behalf of police to ensure they
have the resources they need to do their jobs
effectively.
The award comes after the government removed a 1% cap on
increases to public sector pay in 2017.
The government has delivered a £460 million increase in
overall funding to policing in 2018-19, including increased
funding for local policing through council tax precept.
This funding will enable forces to meet the costs of the
pay award.
Police forces are also holding around £1.6 billion of
public money in reserves as at March 2017.
The PRRB had recommended that the 1% non-consolidated award
received in 2017-18 be consolidated, and that a further 2%
consolidated award be given to all police officers.
Police employers, however, advised that the maximum
affordable award would be a 2% increase. This was
recommended by both the National Police Chiefs’ Council
(NPCC) and the Association of Police and Crime
Commissioners (APCC).
The PRRB report also noted that police forces have achieved
increased efficiencies over the past year. However, the
government is clear there is more to be done in this area,
and has identified over £100 million of potential savings
for police in better procurement alone.
Policing remains a desirable career and the number of
people joining police forces is at a 10-year high.
The government has accepted in full the PRRB’s
recommendations on pay for Police Constable degree
apprenticeships. Forces should appoint apprentice
constables on a starting salary of between £18,000 and pay
point 1 (£23,586).
