The Chair of BTP Federation has responded to today's announcement that police pay for 2023/24 will increase by 7% across all ranks.
Stuart Cowan said:
"A 7% pay rise will make an immediate difference to our colleagues but long-term, pay is still falling far short of the cost of living. Like so many public sector workers, officers are having to make very difficult financial decisions. We know members who are using foodbanks and leaning on family members for financial support. We have spoken to others who are weighing up the cost of being a police officer, physically, mentally and now, financially.
"We are glad the government has responded in this way, at this time, but there is more work to be done to influence future pay decisions. We can't afford to lose good people to better paid jobs elsewhere. We need to invest in our most important resource so we can continue to provide the level of service the travelling public rightly expects.
"We are pleased for our colleagues that this increase will offer a little financial relief, but it reinforces why we must continue to push for fair pay deals for the future. In the short-term, we will be meeting with both the Force and BTP Authority to ensure the process to ratify and implement the pay increase runs smoothly."
The statement from Home Secretary, Suella Braverman is available to read here.
The Police Remuneration Review Body report: 2023 England and Wales is available to read here.
Pay award for 2023/24
