New Police Officers Entry Pay Rates 2022-11-14
2022-11-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
No specific background provided, but it relates to discussions about the adequacy of entry pay rates.
What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues and relevant stakeholders on the adequacy of entry pay rates for new police officers?
The independent Police Remuneration Review Body makes recommendations to the Government on the pay and allowances for police officers. In July, we announced that we had accepted the review body's recommendation to award a consolidated increase of £1,900 at all pay points with effect from 1 September, targeted at the lowest-paid to provide an uplift of up to 8.8%.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question asked about discussions on the adequacy of entry pay rates, but the answer focused on announcing a recent increase in pay without addressing any specific discussions or assessments of adequacy.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP highlights the issue with new recruits and current officers facing a significant real-terms cut in pay over the past decade, leading to financial difficulties.
Police officers inform me that they have faced a 20% real-terms pay cut over the past decade, and there seems to be a particular problem with new recruits. My local federation tells me that some of its officers are using food banks and that a potential new recruit decided to continue his career with a fast food chain because he had been offered a pay rise. Does the Secretary of State admit that pay and remuneration for police officers—professionals who put their lives in danger on our behalf—is a real problem?
The Government recognise that increases in the cost of living are having a significant impact on the lower-paid. In that context, and after careful consideration, we chose to accept in full the review body's recommendations to award the consolidated increases that I mentioned. We want to ensure that there is support for our officers, who play a vital role in this country.
▸
Assessment & feedback
While acknowledging the impact of cost-of-living increases on lower-paid workers and announcing pay increases, the answer does not directly address whether the Secretary of State acknowledges the issue as a significant problem.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP references the positive impact of entry pay rates on attracting new recruits and asks about a specific location for a police station.
Given that on the streets of London alone, entry pay rates have already attracted 4,734 more police officers to join the Metropolitan police, and given how vital it is to continue to provide the right place for those new recruits to be properly trained, does the Home Secretary agree that Uxbridge remains the most sensible place in Hillingdon to have a place station? Will she join me in passing that view to the present Mayor of London?
My right hon. Friend speaks a lot of sense, as usual. He is absolutely right and he has a huge amount of which to be proud when it comes to increasing the numbers of police officers on the frontline fighting crime and standing up for victims, which Labour has opposed at every opportunity. If I may make a humble request of him, will he give up some of his precious time to advise the current Mayor of London who is wholly failing on fighting crime, having seen a 9% increase in crime in London? The Mayor really could take some advice from his predecessor.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question was about agreeing with Boris Johnson on the location for a police station and supporting him to convey this view. Instead of addressing these points, the answer criticises the current mayor's performance in fighting crime.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP cites new statistics indicating the high cost of the mini-budget and its negative impacts on policing, including pay cuts, job losses, and a decline in prosecutions.
New statistics published today reveal that the mini-Budget cost even more than we first thought—a staggering £30 billion. That comes on top of 12 years of austerity, which has seen a real-terms pay cut for police and staff, thousands of jobs lost and prosecutions plummet. The Home Secretary was in the Cabinet and the Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire was No. 2 in the Treasury at the time of the mini-Budget. Will they both now apologise to our police for the damage they have done?
The Government are clear that policing must have a modern pay structure that recognises and rewards skills and competence, rather than time served. In line with that approach, chief constables have the discretion to pay an officer a starting salary of between £23,556 and £26,682 depending on qualifications and experience. The settlement is fair. We want our police officers to be empowered and strong in the fight against crime.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The question asked for an apology regarding the negative impacts of the mini-budget. Instead, the answer provides general comments about modern pay structures without addressing the specific request or acknowledging any damage done.
Response accuracy