A government-approved 4.2% pay rise for police officers in England and Wales “barely keeps up”, according to the body representing front-line officers.
The Police Federation described the increase as being “worth the price of a Big Mac per shift” and argued it would fail to address “record resignations, rising mental health absences, and an unprecedented number of assaults on officers.” The Federation, representing over 145,000 officers, will now ballot its members on whether to accept or reject the offer.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the increase, which is slightly above the 4.1% inflation rate and recommended by an independent review body, calling it “a clear signal of our gratitude”. The offer surpasses the 2.8% pay rise ministers initially budgeted for in December.
Under the new deal, the starting salary for a police constable will rise by £1,256 to £31,164. A constable with six years of service will earn £50,256, while chief superintendents will see their salaries reach £98,500. Additionally, on-call, away-from-home, and hardship allowances will increase by £10, and London weighting will also go up by 4.2%.
Cooper said: “Our brave police officers work tirelessly, often making great personal sacrifices to keep us safe.” She added that the government remains committed to frontline investment and supporting officers in tackling crime and safeguarding communities.
The Home Office confirmed that £120 million will be allocated to police budgets to help absorb the cost of the pay rise.
Despite welcoming the rejection of police chief constables’ push for a lower 3.8% rise, the Police Federation insists the current offer is insufficient. Deputy National Chair Brian Booth remarked: “After over a decade of real-terms pay cuts, this award barely scratches the surface in addressing the erosion of officers’ living standards or the crisis in policing.”
British Transport Police Federation Chair Stuart Cowan echoed these concerns, stating that a 4.2% increase is “nowhere near enough” and criticised the repeated “paltry pay rises” given to officers enduring physical and mental strain.
However, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) welcomed the award, noting it exceeds inflation. NPCC Pay and Conditions Lead, Assistant Chief Officer Philip Wells, said it is vital to offer competitive pay to attract and retain top talent in policing. He added that the award reflects the demanding nature of police work and stressed the need for full government funding to sustain services and support key areas like neighbourhood policing and technology. Photo by Terry from uk, Wikimedia commons.
