Federation: ‘don’t penalise police and key workers with pay freeze’

As concerns grow that Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering implementing a pay freeze when delivering his Autumn Statement next week, the PFNI chairman said such a move would be seen as “penalising” key public sector workers at a crucial time.

Mark Lindsay said: “In the midst of a pandemic, a pay freeze or pay cap would be seen as penalising key workers who are doing their level best in these most trying of circumstances.

“If these press reports are accurate, then I have to say the Government is being badly advised. Freezing pay for police officers and other public sector workers would be a kick in the teeth and a deplorable way of ‘rewarding’ those who are in the frontline of this health crisis.”

Mr Lindsay said he understands that public finances are in a “shocking state,” with a £215 billion increase in borrowing this year, but said, “penalising our officers and others would be a shocking and deplorable act”.

He said: “I appeal to the Chancellor to step back from a pay freeze which would cause untold damage to morale and inflict real hardship on officers whose commitment during this pandemic has been without question.

“Police officers are not immune from the economic effects of Covid, as in many cases household income has decreased as partners face redundancy and uncertainty due to the pandemic.”

Mr Lindsay added: “Let’s not forget that our officers are still waiting for their 2020/2021 pay increase which should have appeared in September payslips.

“Our devolved processes have led to yet another year where we are left high and dry waiting months on end for sign off.

“This of course follows on from ten years of austerity within policing, where PSNI officers received well below inflation pay rises several years running and to add insult to injury we are preparing pay submissions for next year without having last year’s settlement implemented.

“This is a disgraceful state of affairs and to now have the prospect of a pay freeze will cause untold pain for my hard working and committed colleagues.”