The government recognises the extraordinary efforts of the police
over the past year, and in light of independent recommendations
made by the Police Remuneration Review
Body (PRRB) and the
Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB), we will award police officers
a pay award worth a total of two per cent to each officer in 2017
to 2018.
This will consist of:
- a 1% increase to base pay for all ranks
- an additional one-off non-consolidated payment to officers at
federated and superintending ranks
- a 1% increase to the London Weighting payment
- a 1% increase to the Dog Handlers’ Allowance
Home Secretary said:
The tireless work and contribution of police officers in
responding to some of the most challenging situations our
country has faced for a very long time has been extraordinary.
This award strikes a fair balance for police forces, officers
and taxpayers. We want to reward and attract the very best
police officers within the resources we have, whilst making the
right decisions for the economy overall.
This award strikes a fair balance for police forces, officers and
taxpayers. We believe it is affordable within the current police
funding settlement. The independent pay review body and the
police’s independent inspectorate have both highlighted the
potential for further efficiencies in the police, forces have
increased their reserves from £1.4 billion in 2011 to £1.8
billion in 2016, and police spending has been protected in real
terms since 2015.
Policing remains a very attractive career. Applications rates for
police officer roles are high. For example, this summer, more
than 1500 people applied for 300 Humberside police officer jobs.
Officers benefit from a competitive pay and benefits package. The
starting salary is between £19,971 (no qualifications) and
£23,124 for constables, rising to £38,382 within 7 years of
joining.
Officers who have not reached to top of their pay scale receive
annual incremental pay of at least 2% in addition to any annual
pay awards depending on rank, experience and securing a
satisfactory performance grading.
They are entitled to membership of a defined benefit pension
scheme, which is among the best available in the public or
private sectors. Members benefit from employer contributions of
21.3% of their pay towards their pensions on top of their own
contribution. All contributing members are able to take their
pension by age 60, with the majority able to take a pension
sooner.
The PRRB highlighted in
its report the potential for further efficiencies to be made
within policing.
Further information about police welfare, pay and wellbeing is
available on the Home Office media
blog.
