Police officer 2021 pay rise decision announced by Government tonight: “As set out at the Spending Review (2020), there will be a pause to headline pay rises for the majority of public sector workforces in 2021-22”
Reacting, Eamon Keating, Chair of The Defence Police Federation, said: “It is an absolute disgrace that police officers are being treated this way, yet again by this Government.
“Whilst we see other groups within the public sector receive a pay rise this year – such as NHS workers and fire fighters – the group that have been vilified, enforcing this Government’s regulations during the pandemic, putting themselves at great personal risk to police the nation, risk to themselves and their families are once again treated with disdain and disrespect.
“The warm words of Government officials go no way towards satisfying our members and are simple platitudes that have no real value.“To say our members will be disappointed is a massive understatement and I think this is a disgraceful way to treat those you turn to in the most difficult of times.”
Reporting today, the “independent” Police Remuneration Review Body stated “This year our remit did not include making an overall pay award recommendation” so it did not bother. It also rejected any notion of a “bonus” for officers for their hard work policing the Covid-19 pandemic.
Eamon added: “I think the Government is right to recognise the endeavours of other public servants who have been present throughout the pandemic albeit we don’t think they have recognised that sufficiently. However, it is a real smack in the face to police officers that they have been completely ignored.
“Especially when that is exactly how they have been treated by some of the people we have been trying to protect for the past 18 months. They have been spat at, coughed at and assaulted and that is simply not good enough.”
