I had already intended to make welfare and wellbeing the focus of this month’s blog when I heard the dreadful news of the loss of several officers from forces across the country.
Earlier this month, DS Matt Burgin-Powell from Suffolk Police died after a cardiac arrest. PC Luke North from the Metropolitan Police is also believed to have died from natural causes. In recent days, South Wales’s PC Rehaan Akhtar was reported to have died after disappearing on a night out. Then came the news that PC Mat Parker, a roads policing officer from Essex, had been killed in a single-vehicle collision while responding to an emergency.
Our thoughts go out to the officers’ families, friends, and colleagues. We’re all part of the same family - many of us in BTP work closely with officers from Home Office forces - and such terrible losses affect us all.
Huntingdon Incident
The brave members of the public who found themselves at the centre of a multiple stabbing incident on board a train at Huntingdon have also been in our thoughts. First responders were on scene within minutes, and colleagues, including our own, demonstrated the utmost bravery and professionalism. We are grateful to all who attended so swiftly.
BTP officers investigating the incident have worked tirelessly alongside colleagues from Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police, and a man has been charged with numerous serious offences.
With the support of Fed Rep Ian Neville, we were able to deploy the Federation’s new welfare vehicle to Huntingdon quickly. Officers were able to take a break, grab a hot drink and charge their phones; small things that can make a big difference, especially when an incident has the potential to run for some time.
Welfare Vehicle
The welfare vehicle has attended several other events recently, including the Aston Villa versus Maccabi Tel Aviv match. Feedback has been encouraging, with officers highlighting the benefits of being able to take a quick break somewhere warm and dry, get refreshments, and seek advice from a Fed rep.
The vehicle is about your wellbeing, your access to support and advice, and your connection with the Federation. It fills a critical gap by providing facilities that many officers currently lack during operational deployments, but it is also attending force wellbeing days and Federation station visits.
There’s a dedicated page on our website where you can read more about the vehicle, including how to request it at specific sites or events. The vehicle will be out over the coming weeks, and we are planning activities for the new year – more information will be shared shortly so you can get involved.
Another year of pressure
One of the reasons I wanted to focus on wellbeing in this month’s post is that this time of year can be difficult for many people. Work pressures, balancing the demands of the job with life at home, and financial pressures in the run-up to Christmas can all take their toll.
On the work front, resources are stretched, and so is your patience. We recently met with officers in Peterborough, where staffing levels are a significant challenge. We appreciated their honesty around the impact this is having and are taking this up with senior leaders, but our colleagues at Peterborough are by no means alone.
That BTPA feels the current funding position is acceptable is, frankly, appalling. I would encourage Authority members to spend a shift with you and see exactly what you’re dealing with. This is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet.
Along with TSSA and the RMT unions, we have been putting pressure on the Authority regarding the upcoming financial settlement. BTP has not been funded to its gross establishment since 2019, forcing extended vacancies and eroding operational resilience. To meet the current settlement, the force has frozen recruitment and cut posts. The workforce has reduced by 2.2%, and 13 stations have been closed.
We want to see immediate action. BTP needs adequate, sustained funding. We must maintain safe, realistic officer-to-rail user ratios. There has got to be investment in training, equipment, and wellbeing. And above all else, we need a clear and honest conversation about demand versus resources.
It feels a little hollow to keep thanking you for your dedication and professionalism, but this Federation sees how hard you’re working, and we know the difference you’re making. We will keep pushing for what we all know is needed to keep the travelling public – and you – safe on the rail network.
Personal finances
BTP’s financial challenges are clear to see, but I’m conscious that, behind closed doors, an increasing number of officers are struggling with the cost of living and rising debt, particularly at this time of year.
At the same time as we assess the personal impact of the government’s Autumn Budget statement (please see the guide on our website), we’re being bombarded with Black Friday and pre-Christmas sales ads. If your finances are becoming a problem, please don’t carry that weight on your own. We know that asking for help can be difficult, so we wanted to remind you about the support available from PayPlan.
PayPlan is the UK's largest provider of free debt solutions, including free debt management plans and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs). They’re good listeners, and several officers and staff have already used their services.
The team at PayPlan has written a piece for us about what you can expect when you contact them. No judgment, no criticism, just practical steps to reduce your debt. Read it here.
We would also encourage you to engage with the annual Police Family Finance Index Survey which is organised by Police Friendly. The closing date is this Sunday (30 November).
Last year's report revealed financial hardships faced by police officers across the UK and this year's research will continue to feed into the review of police remuneration. The anonymised data we receive is so helpful when it comes to negotiating terms and conditions and making the case for more support for the police family.
Take part in the survey here – you could win one of ten Amazon vouchers.
Physical and mental health
As the suite of wellbeing support available to us expands, one of the longest-serving police charities continues to deliver first-class support to our colleagues. For well over 100 years, the Police Treatment Centres have met the ever-changing health and well-being needs of the police family, but the charity needs our support.
While in the past, the focus was on physical injuries, more recently, the charity has added a number of new treatment programmes, including the Psychological Wellbeing Programme, online physiotherapy, the online Women’s Health Programme, and the online Job-Related Fitness Test Support Programme.
If you have any doubts about the difference the Police Treatment Centres can make, Michael Natavio has written about the treatment he received for a long-standing injury.
All these expansions and improvements have required both capital and revenue investment, which the charity has managed to fund over the last ten years without increasing the donation rate. However, there is a need to future-proof the charity and make sure it can continue to expand, improve, and invest where and when needed.
As a result of these financial pressures, the donation rate will increase from January 2026. BTP officers’ donations are made through Payroll Giving. Because the donation is taken from our salary BEFORE tax is deducted, it means that although the new donation rate will be reflected as £9.99 per month in our payslip, the donation will be £7.99 (for basic rate taxpayers), with the government effectively paying the remaining £2.00.
The PTC has always offered access to superb facilities and treatment programmes at both Harrogate and Auchterarder that includes swimming pools, hydrotherapy pools, sports halls, spin bike studios, rehab gyms with all the latest cardiovascular and strength and conditioning equipment, as well as comfortable accommodation, excellent food, social areas, and well-kept peaceful grounds, and the chance to attend and benefit from all the treatment programmes mentioned above.
The charity has plans for further growth, expansion, and improvements, much of which will be funded by the new donation rate, which they hope to hold at its new level for at least 3-5 years.
Support networks
The final point I want to make about welfare is to reiterate the role of BTP’s Employee Support Associations, which provide significant support and guidance to our members.
We were incredibly proud and surprised to receive an award from BTP’s Sikh Association recently. This recognition serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing partnerships.
While BTP Federation represents all members, irrespective of their background or identity, we recognise and are grateful for the diverse experience and knowledge of the Employee Support Associations. Our commitment is to continue working alongside the BTPSA and all ESAs, strengthening collaboration and ensuring that all colleagues' voices are heard.
There’s more about the ESAs (including contact details) on our website.
Lastly, thank you once more for all that you do. I know it can feel relentless at times, but what you do really matters. We will continue to champion you and push for change.
Stuart Cowan - Chair of BTP Federation