Local Government Association
18 Smith Square
London, SW1P 3HZ
email: [email protected]
POLICE STAFF COUNCIL
(Employers’ Side)
Ben Priestley
PSC Trade Union Side Secretary
Unison Centre
130 Euston Road
London NW1 2AY
27 July 2021
Dear Ben,
Police Staff Council (PSC) – Employers’ Side Response to the Trade Union Side’s pay and conditions claim 2021
Following today’s meeting of the PSC Pay and Reward Working Party, I am writing to confirm the response of the Employers’ Side to the Trade Union Side’s pay and conditions claim for 2021. This follows a consultation process with forces in England and Wales through the constituent bodies of the Employers’ Side.
The Trade Union Side will be aware that in November 2020, the Government announced a pay pause for most parts of the public sector workforce – with the NHS being an exception. Pay Review Bodies were not asked to consider pay increases as a result of this policy and forces used this indication to manage their budgets.
The PRRB has now recommended that in line with the pay pause, police officers earning less than £24,000 will now receive an award of £250 but, as a result of that remit, has made no recommendation in respect of officers earning more than £24,000.
While the PSC remains an independent collective bargaining body, the Employers’ Side has had to take account of this outcome in its decision making for the police staff workforce. This is reflected in the feedback we have received from forces and PCCs.
Furthermore, forces who were already operating challenging budgets received a funding settlement predicated on the pay pause and have made assumptions and budgeted on that basis. Therefore, any unfunded award agreed by the Employers’ Side would create significant pressures on police staff posts, already committed investments and would be unaffordable.
I do want to reiterate the gratitude of Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners for the excellent work, commitment and bravery demonstrated by your members and all police staff over the last twelve months. Although these words and sentiments may not find favour in lieu of a better pay offer, I hope the commitment that the Employers’ Side will be urging ministers to fund meaningful and fair pay increases from 2022 that properly reflect the important and complex work police staff do provides some comfort going forward.
The Employers Side’s response to the elements of your claim are as follows:
- One-year claim
The Employers’ Side accepts this element of the claim.
- A guarantee that pay point 7 will not fall below the Joseph Rowntree real living wage during the 2021/22 pay year
The Employers’ Side is unable to accept this element of your claim. While we are not able to provide that guarantee, we are able to offer a £250 consolidated increase to all police staff on pay point 7 from 1 September 2021.
- A variable increase in the value of pay points 8 – 18 to make each incremental step worth £500 to create more equal steps up the lower pay points of the PSC pay spine
The Employers’ Side rejects this element of your claim. While the Employers’ Side is aware and acknowledges that there are a range of differentials between the incremental steps on the PSC pay spine, which may be addressed in future, due to the current level of affordability, we are unable to agree to this.
- A 3 per cent, or £1,000, increase, whichever is the greater, on all PSC pay points, to take effect on top of the variable increase in the value of pay points 8-18.
The Employers’ Side is unable to agree to this element of your claim. We are able to offer a £250 consolidated increase to all police staff on pay points 7-18 from 1 September 2021.
- A 3 per cent increase on standby allowance and overnight away from home allowance.
The Employers’ Side is unable to make an offer of 3.0 per cent on Standby Allowance and the Overnight Away from Home Allowance.
- A joint review of police force leave arrangements
The Employers’ Side is able to agree to a review of police force leave arrangements on a without prejudice basis.
We know that this will be a disappointment to you and to your members and we thank you for your on-going and considered representation of their views and their interests across the Police Staff Council.
We look forward to your response and if you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
David Algie
Employers Side Secretariat