Police Pay Rise Paused as Chancellor Ditches Across-the-Board Increases
Sunak Halts Police Pay Rise but Boosts NHS Staff
Rishi Sunak stunned MPs today by announcing a pause on police pay rises for next year. The Chancellor bluntly told the House of Commons he “cannot justify an across the board pay increase for all public sector workers.”
However, doctors and nurses will still receive a pay boost. Public sector staff earning under £24,000 are set for a raise of at least £250, Sunak confirmed.
Police Left Feeling ‘Undervalued’ Despite Ongoing Hardship
Sunak said “pay progressions and promotions will carry on,” signalling incremental rises may still apply to officers. But Zoe Wakefield, Chair of Hampshire Police Federation, was quick to slam the decision.
“Doctors and nurses have made a significant contribution during the pandemic, but the Chancellor has ignored the 130,000 police officers who worked through assaults, spitting, and COVID-19 risks,” Wakefield said. “This makes police officers feel very undervalued and unappreciated.”
Officers have faced repeated dangers and enforced constantly changing Covid laws, she added.
Millions Pledged to Recruit 6,000 New Officers
Sunak promised £400 million to help recruit 6,000 new police officers, aiming for a total of 20,000 recruits on track. However, the pay freeze has sparked fury among rank-and-file forces.
Opposition Slams ‘Empty Promises’ and Private Sector Windfalls
Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds slammed the move as a bitter pill for frontline workers who “took on so much responsibility” during the crisis but now face falling spending power.
“Firefighters, police officers and teachers will know their spending power is going down. Meanwhile, private companies have pocketed a bonanza from government PPE contracts,” Dodds blasted.
