Page 14 - Alive January 2016 Newsletter Flip Book

Federation calls for pay rise for officers
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PoLiCe oFFiCeRS SHoULd Be GiVeN A 2.8 PeR CeNt PAy RiSe FoR 2016/2017, ACCoRdiNG to tHe PoLiCe FedeRAtioN oF eNGLANd ANd WALeS (PFeW) ANd tHe SUPeRiNteNdeNtS’
ASSoCiAtioN.
The two representative bodies have explained why they feel the increase is necessary in a joint submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB).
The submission states: “In making a recommendation for this year’s pay uplift, we have taken into account the Chief Secretary to the Treasury’s position. However, we believe that, as an independent body, the PRRB will want to take into account the following: compelling data that demonstrate that the economic context has changed considerably, and that there is a real danger officers will be left behind other workers; data demonstrating low morale; and data showing expansion of the roles officers fulfil.
“We believe that the pay officers earn should be fair, and that it should be sufficient to attract and retain officers capable of doing the best possible job for the public served. For these reasons we ask for an uplift of 2.8 per cent for all: in line with private sector uplifts.”
The 162-page submission covers the views of the Police Federation and the Superintendents’ Association on targeting pay, over-time rates and allowances.
The Police Federation has also issued a useful Frequently Asked Questions document covering key issues including:
Who are the PRRB?
The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) was established by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and became operational in September 2014. It covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It provides independent advice to the Government on pay and conditions for police officers at or below the rank of chief superintendent. This includes allowances, hours of duty, leave, and related matters.
The PRRB has a remit to take into account a number of issues when considering pay. These include the unique front-line role of policing; the fact officers are not allowed to
be members of a union or to strike; and the Government’s wider public sector pay policy. Although the PRRB does not set pensions, it is required to take into account changes in pensions, so that it considers the whole ‘life-time’ remuneration package.
What is the process?
Each year the Home Secretary delivers a remit letter to the PRRB. This is usually in November. The remit letter sets out those aspects of pay and conditions that the Home Secretary wants to be considered in that round.
All parties with an interest in pay and conditions must then provide a written submission to the PRRB, outlining their position. This has to be achieved within approximately seven to eight weeks. For example, this round the remit letter was received on 10 November 2015 and the submission date was 11 January 2016.
Those likely to provide full submissions are: the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) and the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales (PSAEW) (usually joint); the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC); the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and the Home Office.
Each party can make comment on the others’ submissions.
The parties are then invited to give oral evidence to the PRRB in March. The PRRB can ask questions and seek clarity: it is not a negotiation.
What is the purpose of the submission?
This year, the PRRB asked PFEW to submit recommendations in relation to the following key points:
1) How to apply the pay award for 2016-17.
All parties are asked to have regard to Government policy on public sector pay as outlined in the Chief Secretary to the Treasury’s letter, which states that pay awards will be funded up to an average of one per cent per year;
2) The consideration of targeting of particular groups;
3) Whether any adjustments should be made to london and South East allowances in light of further evidence put forward by employers;
4) And, as part of the rolling review of payments and allowances:
a. Over-time rates for bank holiday working;
b. Motor vehicle allowance rates; and c. The away from home overnight allowance.
Why 2.8 per cent and not more?
We asked for 2.8 per cent because this figure reflects private sector pay increases in the three months to September 2015.
Our analysis of economic data suggests that officers – like many in the public sector – have seen their pay decrease in value by about 13.6 per cent since 2010.
At the same time, private sector