Prison Service Pay Review Body Recommendation 3 2021-02-02
2021-02-02
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prison Service Pay Review Body recommended a pay rise for prison officers to address recruitment, retention, and morale issues. The government rejected this recommendation.
What assessment has been made of the effect on prison officer recruitment, retention, and morale following the Department's decision to reject the Prison Service Pay Review Body's recommendation 3?
In July 2020, the Government accepted six out of seven recommendations made by the Prison Service Pay Review Body. This led to a pay increase for prison staff. In rejecting recommendation 3, the impact on recruitment, retention and staff morale were carefully considered alongside affordability and value for money.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details about the assessment of the effects on recruitment, retention, and morale as requested.
Carefully Considered Alongside Affordability And Value For Money
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prison Service Pay Review Body recommended a £3,000 pay rise for band 3 prison officers to improve recruitment, retention, and morale.
The Government's experts recommended a £3,000 pay rise for band 3 prison officers. Will the Minister explain what exceptional circumstances justify not paying band 3 prison officers what they deserve?
To repeat, I recognise the very difficult work that prison officers are doing up and down the country at this time. The pay proposals that we have accepted deliver an increase in pay, and as I mentioned, we took into account factors including affordability and value for money at this time.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific exceptional circumstances justifying the rejection of the recommendation.
Affordability And Value For Money
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Violence in prisons has increased, leading to the pay review body recommending a one-off increase for band 3 prison officers to retain staff.
The Minister knows that the pay review body recommended a one-off increase to wages in band 3 as a job retention package. She knows that staff and vulnerable prisoners will be at greater risk if more skilled officers leave. Why did she choose to ignore that recommendation?
I would like to address the point about violence in our prisons. Violence in the adult male estate has gone down over recent months, but it is too high and we must do more to protect prison officers. We are rolling out body-worn cameras and providing 24/7 counselling support for staff.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address why the recommendation was ignored.
Addressing Violence In Prisons Instead Of Pay
Response accuracy